ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) over the continued killing of stray dogs in the city, violating the 2020 policy that promotes vaccination and sterilization instead of culling.
According to a newspaper report, a single bench of the IHC, led by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, heard a petition against the killings and warned that officials found involved could face an FIR.
Eyewitness Naveeda Asim told the court that on October 9, she saw a vehicle near the CDA office carrying the bodies of at least 200 dead dogs. Another petitioner, Neelofar, joined the case, urging authorities to implement the 2020 stray dog control policy.
Advocate Altamash Saeed, representing the petitioners, said the killings violated the policy, which was based on scientific research and ethical practices. He explained that the policy, prepared under Dr. Ghani Ikram, recommends vaccination and sterilization to control the stray dog population and reduce rabies.
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Saeed also pointed out that Islam forbids killing animals without a valid reason, adding a moral and religious aspect to the legal case.
The court was told that despite previous acknowledgments of the allegations by CDA and IMC, both authorities continued to capture and shoot stray dogs, ignoring earlier court orders.
Justice Soomro directed the CDA and IMC to submit detailed written replies explaining the October 9 incident and why they have not implemented the 2020 policy. The hearing was then postponed for the next date.
