AMMAN — The Ministry of Health has recorded 5,605 cases of animal bites since the beginning of 2025, with 60-70 per cent caused by dogs, according to Director of the Communicable Diseases Directorate Mohammad Hawarat.

 

Hawarat told Al Mamlaka TV on Thursday that 9,401 bite incidents were registered in 2024, adding that the ministry allocates between JD4 million to JD5 million annually from its budget to provide rabies vaccines and serum for those affected.

 

Since the start of this year, two fatalities resulting from dog bites have been reported, he said.

 

Hawarat said rabies is a viral disease transmitted primarily through bites by dogs or other canines such as wolves. “Without timely treatment, the infection is almost always fatal.”

 

He said that treatment involves administering a weight-based vaccination course. “The cost of treating one person ranges between JD400 to JD450, depending on weight.”

 

Stray dogs roaming Jordan’s residential areas remains a significant challenge that requires authorities and citizens to collaborate on solutions in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for humans and animals alike, suggest experts.

 

Stray dogs have been a long-standing issue in Jordan, prompting concern among citizens, animal rights activists and veterinarians. While some may consider stray dogs to be a minor nuisance, others claim that the animals pose significant risks to public health and safety.

 

“The problem with stray dogs in Jordan is the lack of proper animal welfare legislation and enforcement,” Batool, an animal rights activist who works at a humane animal centres who preferred to be identified by only her first name, told The Jordan Times in a previous interview.

 

Batool added that the “absence” of legislation has allowed irresponsible pet owners to abandon their animals, leading to overpopulation and an increase in the number of stray dogs on the streets.

 

In addition, there is a lack of knowledge of responsible pet ownership among the general public, which exacerbates the problem, Batool added.

 

“To overcome this challenge, it is essential for the authorities to take responsibility for the issue. The government needs to implement strict animal welfare laws and regulations, such as mandatory microchipping and pet registration, spaying and neutering programmes, and licensing breeders and pet shops,” she said at the time.