Mayor seeks middle path on stray dogs

Parents whose children canines mauled demand culling; animal lovers oppose it

KARACHI:

City Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Sunday said a balanced and middle-path solution was needed to address the issue of stray dogs, as the metropolis faced competing demands from animal welfare activists and parents whose children had been mauled by canines.

Speaking to journalists during the inauguration of new facilities at the Karachi Zoo, the mayor said that while one group opposed the culling of stray dogs, public safety concerns could not be ignored. He said the Sindh government had introduced a dog neutering policy at the request of animal lovers, but it did not deliver the desired results.

"Whatever decision the City Council takes regarding stray dogs will be implemented," he added.

Turning to developments at the Karachi Zoo, Mayor Wahab said the facility, also known as Gandhi Garden, was a valuable asset of the city and was being transformed into a modern, safe and nature-friendly recreational and educational centre in line with international standards.

He said that for decades the zoo's internal pathways, animal enclosures and facilities had remained in a dilapidated condition.

He said a modern lion enclosure spanning two acres had now been constructed, where lions Chandni and Rani were being kept in an open environment aligned with their natural habitat. The enclosure has been fitted with bulletproof glass and includes special arrangements for water play and resting.

The mayor said that Chandni and Rani were born in the Karachi Zoo, reflecting improved animal health, as unhealthy animals could not reproduce.

He added that measures were being taken to improve animal nutrition and healthcare, while more veterinary doctors were being hired to meet international standards.

Earlier, Mayor Wahab inaugurated the newly renovated Reptile House, a pedestrian bridge and other recreational facilities at the zoo. Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Dil Muhammad and other council members were also present.

He said the Reptile House had been reopened for the public after renovation, while a newly constructed tower had been added to attract visitors, particularly young people and photography enthusiasts. Modern walkways, seating areas and informative signboards were also being installed to make the zoo more visitor-friendly.

The mayor said thousands of people, particularly from low- and middle-income backgrounds, visited the Karachi Zoo daily. The entry fee had been fixed at Rs30 for children and Rs50 for adults, and the income generated was being reinvested in the improvement of facilities.

He clarified that there was no plan to purchase new large animals, with the focus remaining on the care and breeding of existing animals. The zoo kitchen would soon be opened to the public to ensure transparency.

Responding to criticism, the city mayor said negative propaganda was being spread about the Karachi Zoo and warned that neglect could expose the area to land grabbers.

He invited citizens, experts and welfare organisations to work practically with the city administration, saying problems could not be solved through press conferences alone.

He said criticism for the sake of criticism was not in the city's interest and invited all political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to cooperate for the betterment of Karachi instead of indulging in the politics of allegations.

At the same time, the mayor urged people to stop spitting pan, chalia and gutka at public places, saying it not only disfigured the city but also placed an additional financial burden of millions of rupees on cleanliness efforts. He said public awareness campaigns would be further strengthened.

Mayor Wahab said the year would be dedicated to development projects and that the KMC was determined to complete major initiatives, including the Hub Canal, sewage treatment plants and the Cattle Colony flyover. Despite challenges arising from the poor performance of towns, he said, efforts to improve Karachi would continue.

He said his mission was to quash the negative image of Karachi and transform it into a clean, active and developed city through collective efforts by the government, institutions and citizens.