FROM CULLING TO COMPASSION.

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI -- Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, faces a contentious public health issue that has long plagued its residents: the spread of rabies and the treatment of stray animals. The complexities surrounding the practice of dog culling as a measure to control rabies have implications for both animal welfare and public health. Despite promises made by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to address the issue with the Sanitation Directorate and collaborate with animal welfare organisations, little progress has been made. The poor implementation of animal rights laws and the CDA's empty assurances have prompted local NGOs to work tirelessly to rescue and safeguard the city's vulnerable animal population.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dog bites are estimated to be up to 99% of all rabies transmissions. The neglect of the disease by Pakistani officials only exacerbates the prevalence of rabies. In 2010, an estimated 97,000 recorded dog bite cases were reported by public health units. The disease has become endemic in Pakistan, with over 50,000 reported cases of dog bites and approximately 6,000 annual deaths, resulting in huge economic losses. But the CDA's response has been lacklustre.

In 2021, the CDA drew criticism for the handling of Islamabad's stray animal population, particularly its practice of culling dogs. In September 2013, the CDA launched the Sanitation Directorate which, among other environmental sustainability projects, started a campaign on rabies. The campaign targeted and culled stray dogs, but the government did not have any regulations on what methods could be used to kill these dogs. Thus, many dogs suffered painful deaths, often having their legs tied and then being shot or poisoned. Sometimes citizens joined in to hang or poison the dogs as well.

In response to public outcry, the CDA announced a ban on the killing of dogs, pledging to collaborate with animal welfare organisations for vaccination and care. However, despite these assurances, progress has been sluggish. The CDA has only managed to build one shelter, which falls far short of addressing the extensive issue at hand. The shelter has a capacity for 500 dogs only, which the stray dog population in Islamabad and Rawalpindi far exceeds. Furthermore, the promises of...