Dog fighting competition being promoted in Punjab despite ban

With the onset of winter, dog fighting competitions have begun in various districts of Punjab, with a major event scheduled for December 29.

The location of this event is being kept secret, although it is being promoted on social media.

Details about the brutal dog fights and the competing groups are being shared on social media.

Fresh videos of dog fights have been posted on a Facebook group called 'Pak Awan,' which is believed to feature footage from the Okara and Pattoki areas.

A member of one of the dog-fighting groups, who wished to remain anonymous, told Express News, "Currently, there are around 100 groups in Punjab that organise dog fighting competitions. However, only about 30 to 35 of these groups have the best fighting dogs."

He also mentioned that the major tournament will take place on December 29, with several groups participating.

Each group typically has 13 to 14 fighting dogs, and the matches are conducted on a knockout basis—any dog that loses is eliminated. The group whose dogs accumulate the most points during the matches is declared the winner.

Hundreds of people gather in remote towns and villages to witness these dog fights, which often resemble festivals.

Influential local landlords and dog enthusiasts typically bring their animals to participate. There are also reports that local police are bribed to allow these events to take place.

Aneza Khan Omarzai, head of an animal rights NGO, stated that the owners of the fighting dogs are often wealthy businesspeople, landlords, or prominent political figures.

These individuals exert their influence over the police, rendering law enforcement powerless.

She explained that the responsibility to stop these brutal fights and the accompanying cruelty falls on the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the police, and the Punjab Animal Rescue Centre, but unfortunately, there is a lack of coordination and communication among these entities.

Aneza asserted that it is impossible for dog fights to be held in an area without the local police being aware. Sometimes, police are complicit, even providing advance notice to organisers so they can change the location of the fights.

Moreover, the police often try to address the issue under the Gambling Ordinance/Act, but they fail to understand that this is also a significant animal rights issue.

On the other hand, Dr Masood Rubani, secretary of the SPCA, stated that their organisation takes action against those who organise dog fights every year.

As soon as they receive information about such events in any area, they inform the police and local administration.

He added that if the general public takes initiative and reports these competitions in a timely manner, such events could be completely stopped.

A Punjab police spokesperson mentioned that the police take action in these cases and arrest suspects, but they are often able to secure bail and are released after paying fines. In such cases, fines typically range from a few thousand rupees, with the maximum penalty being six months in prison.