Stray dog culling kicks off in Rawalpindi

Taking strict notice of the growing number of stray dogs across the city, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema on Friday ordered the launch of a citywide culling campaign. All Assistant Commissioners (ACs) have been directed to personally supervise the operation in their respective areas.

Special teams had been formed for the Cantonment, Saddar and Potohar Town areas, where the campaign formally began on Friday. The use of firearms to kill dogs has been strictly prohibited; instead, dogs are being culled using poisoned bait mixed with meat.

All anti-dengue workers have been assigned duties for the campaign, with male workers included in culling teams.

These teams are operating across union councils and cantonment wards, covering streets, neighbourhoods and markets.

Over the past 24 hours, 62 stray dogs have been killed in the Cantonment and Potohar areas alone. The campaign is set to begin across Rawalpindi city on Saturday.

The DC instructed that no stray dogs should be visible in the Cantonment and Potohar areas. The action follows complaints from citizens regarding the menace of stray dogs.

Residents have also been advised that families keeping pet dogs must ensure their animals wear collars. Any dog found without a collar will be treated as a stray and culled accordingly.
The DC further directed the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company to immediately remove and dispose of carcasses from areas where dogs are culled. 

Across the district, anti-dengue workers have been temporarily redesignated as members of the stray dog control teams.