Lahore:
Lahore High Court (LHC) has instructed authorities across Punjab to kill only incurably or mortally wounded stray dogs – and to make it strictly in line with medically approved and human protocols.
Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing petitions filed by Eiraj Hassan and others who sought proper enforcement of animal birth control policy 2021 and the protection of stray dogs against inhuman executive practices.
The court emphasized that the policy must be implemented “in letter and spirit” by all affected departments, including the local government and the social development department (LG & CD) and its affiliated officers throughout Punjab.
The policy of 2021 explicitly outlines that only dogs diagnosed as incurably ill or mortally wounded by a qualified veterinarian appointed by a TEHSIL implementation selection (TIC) can be killed. Furthermore, it requires euthanasia to be performed humanly – by administering sodium hubs to adult dogs or thiopental intraperitoneal for puppies.
Of crucial importance, the policy prohibits killing a dog in the presence of another dog.
The policy also prescribes guidelines for the care and management of healthy stray dogs.
Sterilized dogs must be vaccinated before being released and marked for identification through ear mowing, tattoos, nylon collars or symbols.
Branding of dogs is explicitly prohibited. Detailed records of all sterilized and vaccinated dogs must be maintained.
The petition’s lawyer, Altamush Saeed, called on the right to acknowledge that dogs are living beings capable of emotion and must therefore not be exposed to cruelty or brutal killings.
He argued that the most effective approach to control of the stray dog population and eradication of rabies lies in mass vaccination and sterilization through established TNVR (trap, castrate, vaccinating, return) protocols, monitored by qualified veterinarians.
Saeed also emphasized that even rabid dogs should not be abolished exclusively and emphasized the need for sterilization and relocation of healthy dogs instead of killing them.
He also called for public attention campaigns, staffing in animal welfare and the introduction of animal welfare education in schools in accordance with articles 9, 9a and 25a in the Constitution, which relates to the right to life, safety and education.
The court was informed that various government departments had already issued directives on the implementation of the policy and compliance had begun across several local government offices. Justice Karim recognized the progress made and noted that the LG & CD seemed fully aware of her legal obligations and took steps accordingly.
“As respondents comply with the policy, as stated in the answers filed in this case, the petition is disposed of with the direction that Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Policy 2021 must continue to be implemented and followed by all affected departments,” said Justice Karim in his final remarks.
The order’s order marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to stray dog management – focusing on human treatment, scientific methods and legal responsibility rather than reactive culling, often performed under public pressure or panic.
Attorneys for Animal Rights have welcomed the verdict and called it a progressive step towards ethical and effective animal population control and public health security.
