IHC permanently bans stray dog cullings

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday imposed a permanent ban on campaigns involving the poisoning, shooting or killing of stray dogs by any means in the federal capital.

The court observed that only a designated veterinary doctor may certify whether a dog is rabid or terminally ill and, if necessary, euthanise it through a medically approved procedure.

The court also directed the authorities to adopt the scientific "trap, sterilise and vaccinate" method to control the stray dog population.

The judgement included a comparative review of laws governing stray dog population management in several countries, including Malaysia, Türkiye, Indonesia and India. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro of the IHC issued a detailed 24-page verdict on a petition seeking the regulation of stray dog populations and an end to cruelty against them in Islamabad.

The court prohibited the capturing of healthy and vaccinated dogs within the city and directed the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and other relevant parties to strictly implement the agreed policy framework.

The court noted that the Chief Commissioner had already constituted a seven-member professional committee for the management of stray dogs in the federal capital.