Protests are set to take place in Punjab against the killing of stray dogs. Animal rights organizations and activists in different parts of Punjab, including Lahore, have expressed serious concern about the killing of stray dogs.
Well -known animal rights activist Sarah Gandapur condemned this inhuman practice in an interview with Express News and said, “Animals like us are living beings, they feel pain, joy and love. We should not be cruel to them; instead we should take a civilized and human attitude.”
Sarah Gandapur added that Lahore High Court had already introduced a clear ban on mass draps of dogs and ordered the Punjab government to implement a human population control policy for animals, known as TNVR (trap, castrate, vaccinate, release).
However, despite the court’s ruling, various housing communities and local authorities have failed to enforce this policy. She said, “This is open lawlessness and an insult to the court’s orders. We will not only take litigation but also plan a great protest for holding the responsible authorities responsible.”
Sarah highlighted an interesting aspect and said that they rather than kill straying dogs if they were properly cared for could act as a natural security system. She explained that her NGO, Saaya Animal Welfare, launched a campaign called “Street Dogs as Guard Dogs” at institutions such as Punjab University to raise awareness that these animals could act as natural protectors and help prevent crimes.
While some citizens claim that stray dogs are dangerous and attacking humans, Sarah Gandapur rejected this claim and said that dog attacks are in most cases the result of the cruelty they endure. “If an animal gets beaten, starved or scared, it will definitely respond. We will have to solve this problem in a civilized manner, not by killing them.”
She further explained that the recent incidents in cemeteries used to justify the killing of dogs are often due to human factors, such as poor burial practices or criminals who deduct graves.
Sarah emphasized that she and other animal rights activists are preparing for a major protest to increase public attention on this serious question and to push authorities to strictly implement court orders.
She said, “This is not only a matter of animal rights, but also about the rule of law. If legal decisions are not enforced, it will be a serious matter. We will soon submit a new petition and directly ask the government why this illegal practice continues.”
Sarah Gandapur urged the government to enforce TNVR policy effectively and take responsibility for the task rather than rely on expensive rescue organizations. She added, “We have repeatedly met with government representatives, but every time only promises are taken, no practical steps are taken.”
She appealed to the public to treat animals humanly and stop the mass drap based on unnecessary fear and hatred. “We have to ask ourselves if we can torture and kill an innocent, voiced animal, how can we call ourselves a civilized and developed nation?”
In the past, Lahore High Court (LHC) handed down a detailed judgment that allows the hanging of stray dogs, instructing that incurable dogs were killed in a human and comfortable way.
Justice Javed Hassan announced the six-page decision that specified that annihilation should follow the guidelines created by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
This decision follows a petition filed by Citizen Anila Umair and other petitions who tried to stop the ongoing surgery against stray dogs in Rawalpindi.
The petries had previously requested that the killing of stray dogs be stopped, but their concerns were not treated.
