Gilgit authorities cull over 1,000 stray dogs after fatal attacks, sparking activist outcry

Dogs chase a fake rabbit during a racing competition in Peshawar on November 19, 2021. (AFP/File)

• Officials say over 10 people have lost their lives, several others have been injured due to dog bites
• Animal rights activists argue no matter how many dogs are killed, others will soon move in to fill the void

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: In response to recent canine attacks that claimed over 10 lives, authorities in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region have launched an operation, killing more than 1,000 stray dogs, sparking a debate as animal rights activists denounce the culling as inhumane, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Stray dog culling has long been a contentious issue across Pakistan, particularly in major cities like Karachi and Islamabad, where authorities routinely target stray animals to prevent rabies outbreaks and dog attacks. However, animal rights groups argue that these efforts are cruel and advocate for alternative methods such as mass vaccination and sterilization.
The authorities in GB have intensified the dog culling exercise in Gilgit city after its residents complained of being attacked by them.
“Due to a surge in dog attacks, we have launched the operation and more than 1,000 dogs have been shot,” Iman Shah, special assistant to the chief minister, told Arab News over the phone.
“So far, more than 10 people have lost their live due to dog bites in Gilgit municipal area and over 20 were injured this month,” he added. “According to an estimate, the stray dog population in Gilgit is over 15,000. In all three hospitals of Gilgit, vaccine is available.”
The spokesperson for Municipal Committee of Gilgit, Mazhar Moghul, also confirmed the development.
“In Gilgit, women, school children, senior citizens and young people have come under attack by stray dogs,” he said. “To protect and save the lives of the citizens, we have launched the operation against stray dogs.
Moghul told Arab News over the phone that 10 teams had been constituted to kill the dogs and added that the shooting teams had been instructed not to target female animals.
When asked about the argument that it was cruel to kill these dogs, he said the authorities planned to introduce the “TNVR program,” which would trap, neuter, vaccinate and return the animals with the help of the government and private NGOs.
He acknowledged that the dog culling campaign had been ongoing throughout the year, but said it was intensified this month due to written public complaints about dog bites.
Speaking to Arab News, Dr. Hussain Ali, who works with the Snow Leopard Foundation, said stray dogs play a vital role in the ecosystem.
“They contribute to the ecosystem as scavengers by feeding on dead animals, often found in garbage dumps,” he said. “They also act as predators, preying on mice and other animals that can be harmful to humans and crops. Additionally, dogs assist in the dispersion of seeds through their feces, promoting plant diversity.”
Mahera Omar of the Pakistan Animal Welfare Society also criticized the GB authorities for the dog culling campaign.
“Killing dogs in Gilgit is an inhumane and ineffective way to deal with rabies, dog bites or the stray population,” she told Arab News. “No matter how many dogs are killed, others soon move into the area to fill the void, and the cycle of cruelty continues.”
She said Pakistan needed to add rabies awareness to its public health priorities.
“Globally, the strategic goal of nations is to shift focus to mass vaccination of dogs and increased access to post-exposure prophylaxis for humans in order to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030,” she added. “Such an effort requires political will, resources and, of course, good management.”
Omar urged Pakistanis to lobby the government to implement a humane and effective national rabies program to join the ranks of progressive and compassionate nations.