The citizen questions the killing of stray dogs; official rejects ban, says government is carrying it out
A screenshot of dead dogs dumped in a truck allegedly belonging to the Suthra Punjab program. — SCREEN GRAB
Another alleged incident involving the killing of stray dogs by the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore has come to light after a new video surfaced showing the dead bodies of stray dogs being transported near Harbanspura Ring Road.
The video allegedly shows the dead dogs being loaded onto vehicles associated with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Suthra Punjab programme. It also claims that vehicles assigned to the Cleanliness Initiative were used to transport the animals.
In the recordings, a citizen can be heard questioning an official about a court ban against killing stray dogs. The official reportedly replied that there is “no prohibition” and that “the government is carrying it out.”
The video has surfaced despite directions issued by the Lahore High Court requiring the Punjab government to implement the Punjab Animal Birth Control (TNVR) Policy 2021. During court proceedings, government officials assured the court that stray dogs would not be euthanized and would instead be managed under the policy through the Trap-Neuterleas-Vaccinate (VRRe-Vaccinate) programme. The court also warned that any violation of its orders could lead to contempt of court proceedings.
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The Punjab government introduced the TNVR policy in 2021 as a humane approach to control the stray dog population. According to the policy, stray dogs must be captured, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and released back into the same location.
Animal welfare organizations have repeatedly claimed that stray dogs continue to be killed in Lahore and other parts of Punjab despite court orders and the government’s stated policy. However, the relevant authorities have rejected such claims on various occasions.
Animal rights activists also claim that incidents of stray dogs allegedly being killed have continued to surface in several private housing societies, raising further concerns about compliance with court orders and the provincial government’s animal control policy.
