Lahore High Court Issues Landmark Ruling on Stray Dog Culling in Rawalpindi

In a major victory for stray animals in Pakistan, the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench has prohibited the mass killing of stray dogs, mandating humane treatment protocols instead. The ruling, issued by Justice Jawad Hassan, marks the first major implementation of the Animal Birth Control Policy 2021.

The case, brought forward by Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan through attorneys Altamush Saeed and Ahmad Shoaib Ata, challenged Rawalpindi’s practice of mass dog culling under Article 199 of Pakistan’s Constitution. The petition cited violations of both the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Punjab Animal Health Act.

Under the new ruling, euthanasia is permitted only for incurably ill or mortally wounded dogs and must be conducted by qualified veterinarians using humane methods. The court explicitly banned public executions of dogs and mandated proper burial procedures. The judgment also established that Pakistani citizens can legally challenge animal cruelty as a violation of fundamental rights.

Advocate Altamush Saeed said:

This ruling marks a turning point in the fight for animal welfare in Pakistan. It legally acknowledges that mass dog culling is unlawful and must be replaced with humane alternatives.”

The case emerged following reports of widespread dog shootings and poisonings in Rawalpindi. While local authorities cited public safety concerns regarding rabies, the court favored humane alternatives such as vaccination and sterilization programs.

Animal rights activists are now calling for immediate implementation of the Animal Birth Control Policy, including the establishment of monitoring mechanisms and increased investment in nationwide spay-and-neuter programs.