In recent days, operations were carried out in Sultan Colony, Township, Shadbagh, Green Town, other areas
Dogs rounded up in a truck during an operation in Lahore. — SCREENGRAB
LAHORE:
A renewed campaign by the Municipal Corporation Lahore (MCL) against stray dogs has sparked controversy, with animal rights activists alleging that dogs are being killed through poisonous injections and other inhumane methods in different parts of the city, while protesters are also facing legal action and harassment.
In recent days, operations against stray dogs were carried out in Sultan Colony, Township, Shadbagh, Green Town and several other localities. According to district administration and MCL officials, the actions were initiated following complaints from residents and incidents of dog attacks.
The administration launched a large-scale operation after a child was killed in Sultan Colony a few days ago, claiming that multiple stray dogs had been captured during the campaign. Officials said the purpose of the operation was to ensure the safety of citizens and protect lives and property.
However, animal welfare organisations and activists described the operations as illegal and inhumane. They argued that under the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 and court directives, stray dogs should be sterilised and vaccinated instead of being killed.
Animal rights activist Fasiha Khan, in an Instagram post, alleged that stray dogs were being poisoned in Lahore and called for an immediate halt to the campaign.
Similarly, Critters Ark Welfare Organisation Pakistan claimed on May 6 that animal rights activists protesting outside Lahore Town Hall were taken into custody.
Animal welfare activist Syed Ali Haider alleged that MCL staff had confined dozens of dogs, including puppies, inside a van and intended to kill them. He said he urged the administration to hand the animals over to shelters instead of killing them, but after the protest, a case was registered against him at Islampura Police Station on charges of interfering in official duties.
He further claimed that he was told the case could be withdrawn if he submitted an affidavit undertaking not to protest over the stray dog issue in the future.
Another social media post circulated on May 10 alleged that nearly 100 stray dogs were killed in and around Sultan Colony.
Meanwhile, hearings regarding the implementation of the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 were also held at the Lahore High Court last month. On April 14, government departments assured the court that measures in line with the policy would be adopted to control the stray dog population and that large-scale killings would be avoided.
Rejecting the allegations made by animal rights activists, MCL officials maintained that the operations were being conducted in accordance with the law and public safety requirements. According to officials, immediate action was sometimes necessary in cases involving dangerous or diseased dogs, while public safety remained the top priority.
Experts and animal welfare organisations said the long-term solution to the stray dog issue lay in large-scale sterilisation, vaccination, improved waste management and registration of pet animals. They argued that culling campaigns provided only temporary relief and often failed to address the root causes of the problem.
