An animal rights organisation has claimed that local officials in Lahore have resumed the killing of stray dogs, allegedly contravening the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release (TNVR) policy approved by the Lahore High Court. Representatives from the Give Us Life Animal Welfare Society and the National Alliance of Animal Rights Activists and Advocates Pakistan made these assertions during a press briefing at the Lahore Press Club. They further alleged that those advocating for the rights of animals were experiencing harassment from authorities.

The TNVR policy, endorsed by the Lahore High Court in 2021, was intended as a humane approach to control the stray dog population through sterilisation and vaccination rather than culling. The reports indicate that animal rights activists believe local officials are failing to adhere to these guidelines and have resorted to unacceptable practices.

Concerns Raised by Activists

Aafia Khan, a co-founder of one of the campaigning organisations, remarked that the World Health Organisation supports the TNVR model in countries like Pakistan, where there is a blend of urban and rural populations. She expressed serious concerns that despite the court’s directives, dog culling activities have persisted in Lahore over the past few years. Khan alleged that stray dogs are captured by the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and allegedly held for several days before being taken to Saggian for extermination, which breaches court orders while also posing risks to animal welfare and environmental standards.

Advocate Altamash Saeed highlighted that the TNVR policy was developed through a legal case at the Lahore High Court and involved collaboration with relevant local government departments, including livestock and health. He alleged that the institutions responsible for enforcing the policy are not doing so effectively and continue to conduct dog-killing operations. Saeed pointed out that committees were established to supervise the implementation of the TNVR policy, but he claimed these groups have not convened as required.

He stressed the necessity for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws and urged the importance of public education regarding animal rights. Saeed advocated for the integration of animal rights, environmental conservation, and civic responsibility into educational curricula to promote humane attitudes within society.

Call for Comprehensive Solutions

Qaiser Sharif, president of the Jamaat-e-Islami Public Aid Committee Lahore, argued that killing stray dogs does not represent a sustainable solution to the issue. He pointed out that government efforts in animal protection are lacking and called for the widespread implementation of the TNVR programme, in addition to establishing rescue shelters and a dedicated helpline. His organisation has reportedly been actively campaigning on this subject for the last ten months and has developed eight recommendations to manage the stray dog population and control attacks through sterilisation.

During the press conference, participant Haider Shah recounted an incident where he accompanied Aafia Khan to the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore office to inquire about the conditions of captured dogs. He claimed that officials initially conveyed the intention to vaccinate and release the dogs, but later changed their stance, resulting in a confrontation that required police intervention. This incident illustrates the ongoing tensions surrounding management of the stray dog population in Lahore.

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