The Capital Development Authority (CDA) was caught culling stray dogs illegally in Islamabad on October 9. This illegal act was in direct violation of the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) earlier verdict against inhumane stray dog population control in Islamabad.
This incident was reported hours after CDA committed to the IHC to implement a humane and lawful dog population control policy.
Earlier on Thursday, in a major hearing before the Honorable Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro in Nelofar v. Chief Commissioner ICT, argued by Advocate Altamush Saeed, Founding Managing Partner of Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan (EARC), the CDA formally accepted its obligation to enforce the Islamabad Capital Territory Dog Population Control Policy (2020).
The 2020 policy, framed under the IWMB v. MCI judgment, requires the government to conduct humane Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (TNVR) programs instead of killing stray dogs, an approach endorsed globally by the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as the only scientifically proven and ethical method to control dog populations and prevent rabies.
However, yesterday evening, the CDA’s lies were caught on camera. Around 7 pm, a van loaded with dead dogs was intercepted near the CDA dog control facility by local rescuers and animal welfare volunteers. The dogs were reportedly those same animals the CDA had claimed were part of its TNVR operations. Photographs and videos confirm the animals were killed and being secretly transported away.
This isn’t the first time CDA has been seen conducting its illegal activities, but it is the first instance where it has been caught red-handed with video proof. Nukta Pakistan also shared a video report on Instagram, which revealed that the city magistrate called the police to arrest the animal rights activists protesting in front of the stray dog center.
The activists accused the authorities of violating protocols, while Nukta and ProPakistani both have reported the shelter’s grim conditions before.
Khuda Ka Qaher nazil ho in zalimon per Jo masoom dogs KO marr rahay hain