In a significant ruling for animal welfare, the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench has issued a decisive order to stop the illegal killing of stray dogs in Rawalpindi. The stay order was granted this week, putting an immediate halt to ongoing culling operations by local authorities.
Court Halts Operations Following Constitutional Petition
The judicial intervention came after a constitutional petition challenged the controversial operations. The case, registered as W.P. No. 9/26 under the title Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan v. Government of Punjab, was heard by Justice Jawad Hassan. The court restrained the authorities from killing any more stray dogs until further notice, pending the final conclusion of the case.
The petitioners presented a robust legal argument, stating that the mass culling violates multiple existing laws and judicial directives. They highlighted that the operations contravene the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021, which was specifically formulated to replace lethal methods with scientific and humane population control. Furthermore, the actions were said to breach the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890.
Legal Precedents and the Argument for Humane Methods
Advocates in the case pointed to established Lahore High Court judgments that have previously mandated compassionate approaches. They cited the victories in Hamza Khan v. Government of Punjab (ICA 277/2017) and Anila Umair v. Government of Punjab (W.P. 3787/2024). Both these landmark cases, successfully argued by Advocate Altamush Saeed, established that managing the stray dog population must be done through sterilization and vaccination programs, not through killing.
The petition strongly contended that mass culling is not only unlawful but also scientifically ineffective for controlling the spread of rabies. Experts argue that humane methods like Animal Birth Control (ABC) are more sustainable and successful in the long term for public health and animal welfare.
Next Steps and Enforcement of the Order
With the stay order now in effect, the Rawalpindi authorities have been directed to immediately cease all dog culling activities. The Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench will conduct further proceedings to review the enforcement of existing judicial orders and animal protection laws. This case sets a critical precedent for how cities across Punjab, and potentially Pakistan, should address stray animal management, aligning public health concerns with ethical and legal obligations.
The court's decision reinforces the growing legal framework in Pakistan that recognizes animal rights and mandates government accountability in enforcing humane policies. It marks a victory for animal welfare activists and sets the stage for a more scientific approach to population control in Rawalpindi.
