Sana Ashraf
The Lahore High Court’s Honorable Judge, Justice Shahid Karim, has summoned the Commissioner Faisalabad, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad, District Health authority, and CO Municipal Corporation’s Faisalabad on February 12 to respond to the contempt of court and violation of stay orders.
Recently, Justice Shahid Karim had issued a stay order against dog culling, making it illegal to kill stray dogs. However, despite this order, the district administration continued to kill dogs, showing contempt for the court.
“Not only were these innocent dogs ruthlessly killed with poison, but their carcasses were also hanged by municipal corporation workers further humiliating them. A photograph from the Commissioner’s office clearly shows a mother dog lying dead next to her puppies, whose eyes had not even opened yet. This raises serious questions about whether the authorities are following the law and showing compassion towards animals.”
The Municipal Corporation Faisalabad tried to cover up the dog culling by staging a drama about dog seizing, but their efforts were exposed. Lawyer Mr Altamash, who works for animal rights, presented evidence in the Lahore high court showing that innocent dogs, including pregnant female dogs, puppies, and old dogs, were being brutally killed.
The evidence also revealed that the dogs were being poisoned with a toxic substance called Strychnine Powder
“The use of Strychnine powder poison has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the brutal killing of dogs to also harming cats, birds, and the environment.”Often, Strychnine poison remains on the ground and spreads through human foot traffic, frequently contaminating areas with high pedestrian activity. When individuals, including children, accidentally drop an item, they instinctively pick it up without realizing that the object has become lethally toxic. In many cases, this unintentional exposure to Strychnine poison can lead to sudden and unexplained death, with the true cause remaining unknown to the victims’ families. The use of Strychnine poison can thus be devastating.Its impact is alarming, resulting in the deaths of countless and posing a significant threat to the ecosystem.
This blatant disregard for the law and animal welfare raises serious questions about the accountability of the authorities. If the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, District Health Authority (DHA), and CO Municipal Corporation do not respect the law, what can be expected of ordinary citizens?
“The welfare of animals in Pakistan is presently compromised by myriad challenges. Regrettably, government officials have consistently disregarded court directives, perpetuating the inhumane culling of animals. This blatant disregard for the judiciary’s rulings raises profound concerns regarding the accountability of public officials and the prospects for animal welfare in the country.
The deplorable conditions faced by animals in Pakistan are a stark testament to the systemic failures plaguing the nation. Forced to forage for sustenance in garbage and consume contaminated sewage water, these animals are subsequently subjected to the indiscriminate use of toxic poison by municipal authorities Furthermore, donkeys and mules are frequently exploited, bearing excessive loads and suffering mistreatment.
In light of the government’s evident disregard for animal welfare, it is improbable that ordinary citizens will prioritize the humane treatment of animals. Therefore, it is imperative that the government takes immediate action to address these concerns, ensuring that animal welfare is safeguarded and perpetrators of animal cruelty are held accountable.”
