The commissioner orders immediate inspections and enforcement under the new animal welfare law
According to the complaint, some traders and individuals were found to be involved in extreme cruelty, including cropping dogs’ ears for specific purposes, an act described as inhumane and punishable under the law. PHOTO: PIXABAY
PESHAWAR:
Peshawar Divisional Commissioner Riaz Khan Mahsud on Monday took a strong note of reports of animal cruelty in several city areas and directed the relevant authorities to take immediate action against violators.
The move followed a complaint filed by animal rights activist and social worker Lubna Tajik, who highlighted severe mistreatment at pet trading outlets in Kohati Chowk, Gulbahar and Bacha Khan Chowk. According to the complaint, some traders and individuals were found to be involved in extreme cruelty, including cropping dogs’ ears for specific purposes, an act described as inhumane and punishable under the law.
Commissioner Mahsud quickly took cognizance of the matter and convened a high-level meeting in his office, which was attended by Peshawar Assistant Commissioner Zeeshan Najeeb along with senior officials of the Livestock Department and Wildlife Department.
During the meeting, the commissioner directed the assistant commissioner to conduct urgent inspections of pet shops in the designated areas in collaboration with livestock and game officials. He stressed strict legal action against those found guilty of cruelty and invoked the provisions of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Animal Welfare Act, 2024, a landmark provincial law recently passed to replace outdated colonial-era legislation and impose penalties including imprisonment and fines for animal cruelty.
Additional directives included organizing a joint meeting with pet traders and departmental officers to formulate comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate animal handling, trade and care practices to prevent future incidents of cruelty.
Read more: Actor Ushna Shah calls for action against animal rights
The commissioner also called for public awareness campaigns to be launched to educate citizens and those involved in the animal trade about humane treatment obligations and urged them to desist from inhumane practices.
All officials concerned were asked to submit a detailed report on the action taken within 72 hours.
The crackdown underscored a growing administrative determination to enforce modern animal welfare standards, consistent with the province’s new legal framework that seeks to curb unnecessary suffering inflicted on animals.
