CAMBODIA Pack of stray dogs attacked a random passerby. He was knocked to the ground and suffered several bites and scratches. A witness recorded the attack on her phone.
When one of the witnesses managed to drive the dogs away, the victim was taken to the hospital. There, his wounds were treated, his tetanus vaccination was checked, and preventive treatment with antibiotics and post-exposure rabies prophylaxis was started.
Cambodia, like many Southeast Asian countries, struggles with stray dogs. With over 600,000 dog bites annually and around 800 deaths from rabies each year, it is a serious public health issue. Stray dogs often live on streets or in Buddhist pagodas where they are poorly cared for, and the illegal dog meat trade kills 2 – 3 million dogs annually, further increasing health risks.
Organizations such as Mission Rabies and Four Paws work to vaccinate dogs and educate communities, with nearly 230,000 dogs vaccinated in 2024. However, illegal trade and poor care in pagodas continue, keeping rabies and animal suffering a pressing concern that requires coordinated efforts from authorities, NGOs, and local communities.
