Demonstrations should take place in Punjab against the murder of stray dogs. Animal rights organizations and activists from various parts of Punjab, including Lahore, expressed serious concern about the murder of stray dogs.
The famous animal rights activist Sarah Gandapur condemned this inhuman practice in an interview with Express News, declaring: “Animals, like us, are living beings, they feel pain, joy and love. We should not be cruel to them; instead, we have to adopt a civilized and human attitude.”
Sarah Gandapur added that the High Court of Lahore had already imposed a clear ban on the mass murder of dogs and ordered the Punjab government to implement a policy of control of the human population for animals, known as TNVR (trap, neutral, vaccination, release).
However, despite the court order, various housing companies and local authorities have failed to apply this policy. She said: “It is an open question and an insult to the court orders. We will not only take legal action but also plan a large protest to hold the responsible authorities responsible.”
Sarah highlighted an interesting aspect, declaring that rather than killing stray dogs, if they were properly taken care of, they could serve as a natural security system. She explained that her NGO, Saaya Animal Welfare, launched a campaign entitled “Street Dogs As Guards Dogs” in institutions like the University of Punjab to raise awareness of what these animals can act as natural protectors and help prevent crimes.
While some citizens argue that stray dogs are dangerous and attack humans, Sarah Gandapur rejected this assertion, declaring that in most cases, dog attacks are the result of the cruelty they endure. “If an animal is beaten, hungry or frightened, it will certainly react. We must solve this problem in a civilized way, not by killing them in mass.”
She also explained that recent cemeteries, which are used to justify the murder of dogs, are often due to human factors such as bad funeral practices or profane criminals.
Sarah stressed that she and other animal rights activists are preparing for a great protest to raise public awareness of this serious problem and to put pressure on the authorities to strictly implement the judicial orders.
She said: “It is not only a question of animal rights but also of the rule of law. If the judicial orders are not applied, it becomes a serious matter. We will soon deposit a new petition and ask the government directly why this illegal practice continues.”
Sarah Gandapur urged the government to effectively apply TNVR policy and assume responsibility for the task instead of relying on animal rescue organizations. She added: “We have met government representatives several times, but whenever the promises are made, no practical measure is taken.”
She called on the public to treat animals with humanity and to stop the murder of mass according to unnecessary fear and hatred. “We must ask ourselves, if we can torture and kill an innocent and voiceless animal, how can we call a civilized and developed nation?”
Earlier, the High Court of Lahore (LHC) published a detailed verdict allowing the slaughter of stray dogs, ordering that incurable dogs are euthanized in a human and comfortable manner.
Judge Javed Hassan announced the six -page decision, specifying that slaughter should follow the directives established by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
This decision follows a petition tabled by citizen Anila Umair and other petitioners, who sought to stop the current operation against Rawalpindi’s stray dogs.
The petitioners had previously asked that the murder of stray dogs be interrupted, but their concerns were not discussed.
