RAWALPINDI
The Lahore High Court (Rawalpindi Bench) has granted a stay order against the illegal culling of dogs in Rawalpindi, following a constitutional petition challenging the practice.
The petition, W.P. No. 9/26, titled Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan v. Government of Punjab, was heard by Justice Jawad Hassan.
According to the petitioners, the ongoing culling of stray dogs is being carried out in violation of existing court orders and the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy, 2021, the Prevention to cruelty act of 1890, and relevant LHC orders in Hamza Khan v Govt of Punjab (ICA 277/2017) and Anila Umair v Govt of Punjab ( W.p 3787/2024), both argued and won by Advocate Altamush Saeed which mandates humane and scientific methods for dog population management, including sterilization and vaccination.
The petition argues that mass killing is not only ineffective in controlling rabies but also unlawful, as the policy was framed pursuant to earlier litigation to replace culling with humane population control measures.
The court restrained the authorities from continuing dog culling operations in Rawalpindi until further proceedings.
The case seeks enforcement of existing judicial directives and the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy, alleging that continued culling reflects administrative failure and disregard for animal welfare laws.
Advocate Altamush Saeed represented the petitioners in court. This is the fourth such landmark stay order against dog culling, all won by Advocate Altamush Saeed
Civil society organizations, including Critters Arc Welfare Organization, CDRS Benji Project, and Todd’s Welfare Society, supported the petition.
Further proceedings in the case are expected to continue before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench.
