SHC orders continued action on stray dogs

The Sindh High Court has directed authorities to continue their operations against stray dogs, following a hearing on a petition concerning the lack of action and vaccine availability for the issue.

During a hearing on Thursday, the project director of the Rabies Control Programme submitted a progress report to the court. 

Advocate Tariq Mansoor, representing the petitioner, argued that the authorities only provided reports for Karachi, while no significant action was being taken in other districts of Sindh.

According to the report, four centres are currently operational in Karachi, with a fifth centre being established in Keamari, which is expected to be completed by mid-September. 

Since January 2022, the program has conducted the sterilisation and vaccination of 30,329 dogs to control their population. The project director informed the court that efforts to address the issue are being expanded to other districts in Sindh. 

The programme is coordinating with district administrations in Sukkur, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, and Dadu to identify suitable locations for establishing centres. 

Proposals for these locations have been requested from the respective administrations. He also mentioned that the helpline dedicated to stray dogs, 1093, is fully operational. 

Additionally, a letter has been sent to the finance department requesting funds for the programme. 

Under the Local Government Act 2013, the responsibility for protecting the public from stray dogs falls on local councils, and the court was urged to direct district administrations to assist in these efforts.

The court, after reviewing the submissions, ordered the continuation of actions against stray dogs and adjourned the hearing for six weeks.