LHC halts dog culling campaign

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a stay order against the ongoing dog culling campaign in Lahore Division, directing authorities to immediately halt the operation.

Justice Shahid Karim presided over the hearing on petitions filed by petitioner Iraj Hassan and others. Advocate Altamash Saeed represented the petitioners in court.

The court has sought a response from the Punjab government and other relevant parties in the next hearing. Additionally, the state counsel has been instructed to appear with official directives in the upcoming session.

The case, filed by Eiraj Hassan and five other petitioners, seeks to enforce the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy of 2021 and hold responsible government bodies accountable for their alleged violations.

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The petition urges that despite the implementation of the 2021 policy, which prioritizes humane population control methods such as sterilization and vaccination, indiscriminate and illegal culling of street dogs continues throughout the city.

The case specifically targets several government entities for their alleged involvement or negligence towards these inhumane acts.