Unpredictable consequences

A heartbreaking case recently occurred involving L.D.B., an 8-year-old child from Nát village, Tuần Giáo commune. The child was bitten by a dog but was not vaccinated against rabies and tragically passed away on May 5. According to the Tuần Giáo Medical Center, B. was admitted on May 4 in a state of fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, and showed signs of hydrophobia and light sensitivity. After checking the medical history, the family reported that over a month earlier, B. had been bitten by a neighbor’s dog. The dog owner had taken the child for an examination and advised the family to get vaccinated. However, no vaccination was given. Only when the symptoms worsened did the family seek medical help, but it was too late.

According to the provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC), since 2021, there have been 13 recorded deaths from rabies transmitted by dogs and cats in the province. In 2025 alone, there have already been 2 deaths (one in Tuần Giáo commune and one in Mường Nhé). Notably, all victims had not received rabies vaccination after being bitten.

Dr. Phạm Đức Tài from the provincial CDC stated that rabies is an acute and dangerous infectious disease with no specific cure. Once symptoms appear, the fatality rate is extremely high. However, rabies is entirely preventable if the victim is treated properly and vaccinated in time after being bitten by a suspected rabid animal.

Beyond rabies, unleashed dogs and cats are also indirect causes of traffic accidents, especially in narrow village and residential roads. There have been cases where dogs suddenly ran into the road, chased people, and startled drivers, causing them to lose control and crash, sometimes requiring hospitalization.

Ms. Trần Hạnh Như, from Residential Quarter No.6, Mường Ảng commune, shared: “About two weeks ago, my child was coming home from school when an unleashed dog suddenly jumped out from the roadside, barking loudly and giving chase. My child panicked, lost control of the bicycle, and fell on the road with scrapes and bruises. Luckily, the road was quiet at the time, so no collision occurred. Since then, my child is too scared to go to school alone. We now have to take turns escorting him.”

Such incidents are becoming alarmingly common in many areas. From urban to rural zones, it is easy to spot dogs roaming freely on sidewalks, in parks, schoolyards, and even on roadways. Many of these dogs are not muzzled, leashed, or supervised. Owners often justify this with excuses like “the dog knows its way,” “our dog is gentle,” or “he’s just running around for fun.”

The need for coordinated action

In response to this situation, some localities have implemented stricter measures, such as capturing and euthanizing unidentified or unvaccinated stray dogs. A few years ago, Mường Nhé commune conducted several campaigns to capture unleashed dogs. Dozens of dogs were held and owners were asked to reclaim them. Unclaimed dogs were euthanized to ensure sanitation and safety. However, such efforts were short-lived due to a lack of dedicated personnel, insufficient funding, and limited cooperation from the public. As a result, these measures have not yielded lasting effects.

Vietnamese law provides clear regulations on dog ownership. According to Decree No.90/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 31, 2017, pet owners are responsible for confining dogs within their property, using a leash and muzzle when in public, and ensuring proper rabies vaccination. Violations may result in administrative fines under Decree No.144/2021/NĐ-CP, ranging from VND 1-2 million. In serious cases where dog attacks lead to severe consequences, owners may face criminal liability. However, enforcement at the grassroots level remains lax and inconsistent, leading many residents to disregard the rules.

The consequences are clear, and responsibilities are well-defined, but for regulations to be truly effective, a joint effort from the entire political system and the public is essential. Authorities, agencies, and every citizen must shift their awareness and behavior in managing pets. People must treat leashing, muzzling, and supervising dogs as legal obligations, not mere suggestions.

Local governments must re-establish and maintain dedicated teams to monitor and manage unleashed dogs. Alongside enforcement, regular public education on the risks, penalties, and prevention methods related to dog-related incidents is crucial. Residential communities should also develop specific guidelines on pet management, banning unsupervised roaming in shared public spaces.