Lahore High Court Stops Illegal Dog Killing in Rawalpindi

The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench has halted the illegal culling of dogs in Rawalpindi.

On Monday, the court granted a stay order against the ongoing culling operations following a constitutional petition challenging the practice. The order restrains authorities from continuing dog culling in Rawalpindi until further proceedings.

The petition, filed 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.

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According to the petitioners, the culling of stray dogs is being conducted in violation of existing court orders, the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy, 2021, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890, and previous Lahore High Court judgments. These include Hamza Khan v. Government of Punjab (ICA 277/2017) and Anila Umair v. Government of Punjab (W.P. 3787/2024), both argued and won by Advocate Altamush Saeed. These rulings mandate humane and scientific methods for dog population management, including sterilization and vaccination.

The petition further argues that mass killing is not only ineffective in controlling rabies but also unlawful. It states that the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy was developed following earlier litigation specifically to replace culling with humane population control measures.

By granting the stay order, the court directed authorities to immediately stop dog culling operations in Rawalpindi until the case is decided.

The case seeks enforcement of existing judicial directives and the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy, alleging that continued culling reflects administrative failure and a disregard for animal welfare laws.

Advocate Altamush Saeed represented the petitioners. This is the fourth landmark stay order against dog culling secured by him.

The petition was supported by civil society organizations, including Critters Arc Welfare Organization, CDRS Benji Project, and Todd’s Welfare Society.

Further proceedings are expected to continue before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench.