Dog culling ban

When it comes to stray dogs in Pakistan, people often have two different responses. On one hand, there are those who treat them like pets and put out food and water. While on the other hand. an entirely different fear-laden reaction grips those who are wary of ever-increasing attacks by an unmanaged population of strays. Both parties have reasonable responses in their own right. But instead of aiming for a middle ground between compassion. safety, our local authorities have long opted for deeply inhumane methods including poisoning, shooting and killing stray dogs as an unseemly attempt at reducing their population.

The Islamabad High Court's permanent ban on these outdated methods in the capital will now hopefully bring an end to a 'solution'. never even managed to control the population of stray dogs in the first place. Dog culling is touted as a public safety measure but not only is it ineffective, it also causes the animals prolonged pain. suffering.

In place, the High Court has encouraged the "catch, neuter. release" programme which is a globally accepted and much more merciful approach towards population control. Although, it is also imperative that the endeavour does not merely end there. We must construct a society where every living being is respected. cared for, which means building shelters and sanctuaries for strays and also carrying out mass vaccination drives for the sake of both human and animal health.

It is true that the notion of protecting animals seems absurd in a country where even humans are deprived of such basic rights,. if we nurture our drive for compassion, it is reflected back through every facet of our lives. Our strife to care for the voiceless, defenceless. homeless must also include animals - who are not simply neglected but actively assailed.

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see ourComments FAQ