Zahid Karim
It is true that the current state of stray animals, particularly dogs, cats, chimpanzees, and others in Pakistan is deplorable either in rural or in urban areas. They are frequently being killed, tortured, and culled without exposing any sentiments. The country where there are no rights for human beings can be more dangerous for the animals as well. It is evident from the fact that Pakistan is rated as a poor performer (“E”) as far as the Animal Protection Index (API) is concerned.
Currently, astray animals in Pakistan are exposed to disease, injuries, malnutrition, and culling, due to lack of an animal-friendly environment and widespread negligence. The fact can be analyzed from the recent shocking camel incident in Sindh province; where the leg of the camel was chopped off when it had strayed into the fields influential for grazing. After significant uproar and outcry, a weak case has been registered against the culprits. Unfortunately, a similar case of animal cruelty emerged in Sindh province, when another camel was found dead with all four legs amputated. Likewise, another donkey was brutalized in Hyderabad, Sindh, and its ears had been chopped off. Now, it can be said without much contradiction that the country has become home to unbridled animal cruelty.
As a matter of the grim reality, a number of stray animals, particularly dogs, are killed each day. Karachi alone is home to 200,000 stray dogs. In spite of global convents and pledges, more than 50,000 dogs die on the streets of Pakistan every year. Contrarily, the performance of Pakistan is also poor in its region. Countries like India, the US, and the UK have not only enacted animal welfare laws but also established animal welfare divisions, Boards, and National Institutes for Animal welfare and supervision.
In this connection, the country is also lacking the legal framework for the protection of stray animals. The Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act, 1809 remains in force but has not been amended since its enactment. Moreover, the Act being a remnant of British rule, merely acknowledges the pain and suffering of animals. It does not legally recognize their sentience or provide them with remedies. There is either no or very little application of it. However, it only describes partial enforcement of the penalties. It accounts for obsolete practices having no penalties for culling. On the other hand, India’s legislation has undergone consistent reforms that recognize animal sentience and impose penalties for cruelty.
Furthermore, Pakistan is not a member of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW), a formal entity of principles protecting the rights and welfare of animals. In this respect, the lack of political will has further deteriorated the situation. There is neither an entity nor a proper institution to take action and form legislation that may bear fruitful results for animal welfare. In contrast, neighboring India has not pledged support to UDAW and does not prohibit the killing of non-captive wild animals. But, it has enacted similar legislation for animal welfare through the Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act, of 1960.
Moreover, the severe shortage of resources to protect stray animals has also added fuel to the fire. There are not adequate shelters and veterinary services for their care. Sadly, many animals remain hungry and untreated for their injuries or illnesses. They are not being spayed or neutered, leading to further population growth.
Another factor that has made the situation more vulnerable is the lack of general awareness about animal welfare. Most of the country’s population views stray animals as a nuisance, threat, or even a danger. There is no concept of the humane treatment of stray animals in Pakistan. Besides, cultural attitudes towards animals are also pathetic.
Additionally, either meager or very low allocation of economic resources and funding for animal welfare is also responsible for the situation. Animal welfare has not ever been a priority of the rulers. Ironically, many people in Pakistan struggle to meet their own basic needs; thus, animal welfare is often seen as a luxury. Therefore, it has become difficult for both individuals as well as on a collective level to secure funding for animal shelters and other initiatives.
Unfortunately, stray animals, in turn, have also endangered the health and lives of the public. Dog bites, rabies, and transmission of potential diseases have become the norm of the day. Astray animals also cause threats to public safety through incidents such as attacks and road accidents. The sorry state of the affair is that the stray dog population is estimated to be at least 3 million in Pakistan. Hence, they suffer harsh living conditions on the streets making the life of citizens more miserable.
In this respect, there is a dire need for well-balanced reforms and thoughtful strategies. Like useless lands located out of the cities should be devoted to building proper shelters with basic necessities for their welfare. Besides, laws regarding culling and hunting should be implemented in true spirit to minimize the cruelty towards strays. Best practices of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dogs Trust, and others should be adopted. The government should pledge its support for UDAW. It will ultimately enforce the application of protective legislation within the country.
The sum and substance of the matter is that the devaluation and degradation of life, whether animal or human, depict a moral collapse of society. It must be realized that animal rights and human rights are integrated. The strong voice should be raised not only against human rights violations but also against animal cruelty to build a just and compassionate society for all and sundry. Thereafter, the value of life, dignity, and freedom for all beings can be claimed. Hence, it is the need of an hour to act practically for the welfare of all these neglected beings who are exploited, tortured, and killed.
Writer is LLM Scholar & Law Practitioner At High Court of Sindh, Karachi.He can be reached at [email protected]
