In a massive new judgment, the Lahore High Court has officially ended the inhumane and illegal practice of dog culling across Punjab, marking a monumental victory for animal rights in Pakistan.
This ruling came in W.P. No. 17741/2025 (Eiraj Hassan & others v. Government of Punjab & others), directing that the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Policy 2021 must now be implemented in letter and spirit by all concerned departments throughout the province as previously laid in Anila Umair v Govt of Punjab and Hamza Khan v government of Punjab.
The case was argued by Altamush Saeed, a globally recognized animal justice lawyer, and his legal team comprising Ahmad Shoaib Atta and Mian Ahmed Farooq, under the banner of Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan, Pakistan’s first dedicated animal and environmental law firm.
What began as an uphill battle eight years ago has now finally culminated in a legal and moral victory: dog culling is officially illegal in Punjab. The Court’s interim stay order on 25 March 2025 had already put a stop to the brutal killings, followed by provincial government letters on 26 March and 22 April 2025, holding local governments accountable for humane dog population management.
This is more than just a win in court. It is a major win for stray animals in the region. Mass sterilization and vaccination should now be able to replace cruelty, paving the way to eradicate rabies, prevent dog bites, and end violence against street animals.
Eiraj Hassan’s unwavering support and courage helped push this case over the finish line. Her name will forever be associated with this historic shift in Pakistan’s legal and ethical landscape.