The Municipal Corporation has resumed its dog killing campaign against stray dogs in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, under which dozens of dogs have been killed by poisoning in different areas.
According to initial information, the municipal authorities have launched this campaign in view of the increasing number of stray dogs and incidents of dog bites in urban areas. Such operations have been carried out in the past too, however, the recent campaign has once again sparked a debate on animal rights and alternative arrangements.
Some social and civic circles have expressed serious concerns over the method of killing stray dogs by poisoning. They are of the opinion that this process is inhumane and modern and safe methods should be adopted instead. According to critics, the district administration should establish a separate dog shelter or dog center for stray dogs where these animals can be cared for and monitored.
Citizens say that vaccination and sterilization programs should be started on a regular basis to control the population of stray dogs so that their number can be reduced naturally. According to them, this method is adopted in many countries, which not only makes it possible to protect human lives but also avoid unnecessary cruelty to animals.
On the other hand, there is also concern about the increasing incidents of stray dog attacks and dog bites at the public level. Last year, more than a thousand cases of dog bites were reported at a government hospital in Bagh district, after which citizens demanded effective measures from the administration.
According to experts, the increasing number of stray dogs can become a public health problem for the urban population, however, the humane and scientific methods adopted at the global level should be preferred to solve this problem so that both public safety and animal welfare can be ensured.
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