Eight-year-old girl critically injured in stray dog culling campaign in Khanewal

An eight-year-old girl was critically injured after being hit by a bullet fired during a stray dog culling campaign launched by the Khanewal district administration, in a tragic incident reported near Ada Khaliqabad within the jurisdiction of Talamba police station.

A bullet fired to kill a stray dog struck Sakina, leaving her in critical condition. She was initially left without any official transport and was rushed to hospital by her parents in a private vehicle. She was later shifted to Nishtar Hospital, Multan, where her condition remains critical.

Legal experts have strongly criticised the manner in which the campaign is being conducted. Lawyer and former Secretary General of the Khanewal Bar Association, Chaudhry Haroon, said such campaigns are traditionally carried out by feeding poisoned bait to stray dogs, not through indiscriminate firing.

He termed the use of firearms in populated areas “completely wrong” and warned that such negligence could lead to further fatalities. Reports indicated that a pellet from a rifle cartridge struck the girl on the head due to a lack of proper safety measures during the operation.

The incident has raised serious questions about the planning and execution of the campaign and the failure to ensure public safety. When contacted, SHO Talamba Arslan Amjad Sahi said the child’s father was in the process of submitting a formal application. He assured that a case would be registered against those responsible and that the accused would be arrested after legal proceedings are initiated.

Family members of the injured girl confirmed that Sakina remains under treatment at Nishtar Hospital.