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In hard-bitten Karachi, authorities pack hunting rifles and poisoned meat against stray dogs

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In hard-bitten Karachi, authorities pack hunting rifles and poisoned meat against stray dogs

NAIMAT KHAN

July 21, 2020

KARACHI: Last Tuesday, Dr. Naseem Salahuddin, the head of the Rabies Free Pakistan (RFP) project, woke up to discover that months of work put in by her team to vaccinate and neuter stray dogs in Karachi had been summarily wasted.

Overnight, municipal authorities in an upscale neighborhood in southern Karachi had killed at least 50 strays Salahuddin’s team had treated. And this was not the first time this had happened.

Authorities estimate the citywide operation has so far culled thousands of dogs but do not have a full count for all six districts that make up Karachi city.

“You work from dawn to dusk, put in your best effort, spend time and resources and they kill the dogs without any reason — it’s like being stabbed in the back,” said Salahuddin, who heads RFP, a project of Karachi’s Indus Hospital.

The periodic culling of dogs by shooting or using poison tablets hidden in food is common in Pakistan and has unnerved both animal rights activists and citizens, but officials in Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, say it is necessary because packs of wild strays pose a threat to residents.

In Pakistan, up to 5,000 people die each year of rabies, according to infectious disease experts. Anti-rabies vaccines, mostly imported from neighboring India, seem to be in perennial short supply at Karachi hospitals.

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A stray dog walks past auto-rickshaws parked alongside a street during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 7, 2020.

Rabies is a neglected disease in Pakistan, with scant data available, although the cases of dog bites are rising, doctors and officials said.

Around 150 patients come to Karachi hospitals daily with dog bites, doctors said. Last June, the Sindh health department said there were almost 70,000 dog bite cases reported between the months of January and May. Indus Hospital treated over 7,000 cases of dog bites last year and said it had already treated 4,000 cases this year. Dr. Seemin Jamali, executive director of Jinnah Hospital, the largest health facility in Sindh, said the hospital had treated 6,000 patients for dog bites between January and July.

Street animals, particularly dogs, are often a part of the urban landscape in developing countries like Pakistan. In Karachi, a megacity of over 15 million, it is common to see strays lurking in public parks, guarding street corners and howling in neighborhoods at night.

Joggers say they have to carry stick to pry dogs away, and cyclists keep stones in their pockets to throw at chasers.

Malik Fayyaz, the chairman of the district municipal council in southern Karachi, confirmed that authorities were killing, as well as sterilizing, dogs due to a rising number of complaints from residents.

He said a vaccination and spaying project the council had started in collaboration with Indus Hospital had stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and culling strays was thus currently the only option.

Another program launched last year in Karachi’s district central, the largest municipal cooperation in the city, had also stalled.

Rehan Hashmi, the central district council chairman, said dogs had to be taken off the streets even if that meant euthanizing them. Authorities would stop killing dogs, he added, if there was a program that could vaccinate and spay “100 percent stray dogs.”

“Saving a human life is more important than saving the life of a dog,” Hashmi said.

In August 2016, the district council of south Karachi killed 800 stray dogs, pushing lawyer Muhammad Asad Iftikhar to file a petition in the Sindh High Court. Last December, the court finally directed authorities to stop culling animals and instead to neuter and vaccinate them.
But cull tactics continue.

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A stray dog rests on a street as people line up maintaining social distancing to buy groceries from a governmental subsidised shop during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 8, 2020.

Last month, the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF), which has recused and neutered over 6,000 stray animals in Karachi in the last seven years, filed a petition in the Sindh High Court after hundreds of dogs the organization had vaccinated and spayed were found dead.

Many of the dogs were given poisoned food, the Foundation said, and were found with their legs tied to other dogs so they could not run away or seek help as the venom took effect.

The ACF petition, which is yet to be heard in court, seeks a uniform policy by the government to curb the spread of rabies and contain rising stray populations in Sindh instead of sentencing dogs to death.

In Pakistan, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1890 was amended in January 2018 to include fines and punishments for animal abuse. The law does not provide a ‘holistic approach’ toward animal welfare, rights activists say, and needs to be replaced with new legislation recognizing animals as sentient beings that need protection and care.

Indeed, animal welfare advocates say Pakistan has never made a priority of pushing responsible animal control policies, including spaying and neutering, which would have helped avoid the current problems.

“Killing dogs is not only inhumane but ineffective also,” said Aftab Gauhar, a project manager at RFP, which operates across Karachi and has vaccinated nearly 24,000 dogs, and neutered and spayed over 3,500 since 2018. He said rising dog populations and rabies infections could be tackled with sterilization, mass vaccination drives and community engagement to teach people how to behave around strays.

There are currently a number of charities in Karachi who cruise the city treating sick dogs and taking healthy ones to shelters for vaccinations and sterilizations before depositing them back exactly where they were found: on the streets.

Ayesha Chundrigar, who founded ACF, said strelization could lead to a 50 percent fall in the number of strays within a year.

“Stray dogs should be neutered and left to live in their natural habitats, which are the streets,” she said.

In an emotional video message posted online last month after hundreds of ACF rescues were found dead, Chundrigar said:

“We [ACF] are about to complete seven years next month. It has really been a hard seven years. We feel grieved. We have no success to show. Because all of our success stories are dead.”

She added: “We can’t take it anymore. They [municipal authorities] win. We’ve fallen apart, trying like absolute fools in this lawless city of millions. Can’t do it anymore. We’re tired and hopeless.”

But speaking to Arab News, the animal welfare advocate said she was hopeful concerned citizens and civil society groups would help lead to change.

“People are now realizing that we have been very cruelly treating animals in this country,” she added. “I believe that change will occur.”

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1707741/pakistan
 
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They are such a lovely creature, I wish we can move to TNR as soon as possible and learn something from istanbul
 
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leave these dogs they are the only defence against looters , robbers , snatchers , battery chors .. law enforcement cannot deal with the wave of looting
 
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Stray dogs are a serious problem across the world. From a count from some years ago there are 35+ million stray dogs in India and they have caused bites and deaths to so many people here and have caused an almost extinct status to cats here.

A large portion of rabies cases in the world have been from India.

The Bombay High Court some years ago said that more people in Bombay have died of dog attack than by terrorist attack.

The main defender of stray dogs in India has been that accursed woman Maneka Gandhi who in the late 90s stopped the practice of killing stray dogs which then has led to the 35+ million number.

Stray dogs have been known to enter hospitals here and carry away newborns. Evil doctors have kept stray dogs to dispose off illegally aborted female fetuses.

Also, the constant loud barking and general nuisance of stray dogs in India has led to a social situation where many people have internalized the nuisance of dogs and therefore tolerate any wrong things in society. A person who is not disturbed by the sound and nuisance of dogs will be not bothered by wrong things in society.

Stray dogs must be eradicated.

They are such a lovely creature, I wish we can move to TNR as soon as possible and learn something from istanbul

I have learned over a few days that Istanbul is famous for its cats.
 
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Stray dogs are a serious problem across the world. From a count from some years ago there are 35+ million stray dogs in India and they have caused bites and deaths to so many people here and have caused an almost extinct status to cats here.

A large portion of rabies cases in the world have been from India.

The Bombay High Court some years ago said that more people in Bombay have died of dog attack than by terrorist attack.

The main defender of stray dogs in India has been that accursed woman Maneka Gandhi who in the late 90s stopped the practice of killing stray dogs which then has led to the 35+ million number.

Stray dogs have been known to enter hospitals here and carry away newborns. Evil doctors have kept stray dogs to dispose off illegally aborted female fetuses.

Also, the constant loud barking and general nuisance of stray dogs in India has led to a social situation where many people have internalized the nuisance of dogs and therefore tolerate any wrong things in society. A person who is not disturbed by the sound and nuisance of dogs will be not bothered by wrong things in society.

Stray dogs must be eradicated.



I have learned over a few days that Istanbul is famous for its cats.

There are other ways to solve problems. Vaccination and nuetering works for rest of the world. But that solution actually takes hardwork. Not expensive, its just time consuming. Lazy countries rather just go the route with the minimum amount of work required. Now the next thing to consider is that if you feel that killing an animal because a life of a human is worth more than that of a dog let me explain to you how other humans think that same way about other humans as well. For people following the muslim religion they just need to take a long hard look at what the punishment would be to kill an innocent animal because taking care of an animal the reward seems to be a direct ticket to heaven.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man suffered from thirst while he was walking on a journey. When he found a well, he climbed down into it and drank from it. Then he came out and saw a dog lolling its tongue from thirst and licking the ground. The man said: This dog has suffered thirst just as I have suffered from it. He climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and caught it in his mouth as he climbed up. Then he gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated this deed, so he forgave him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?” The Prophet said, “Yes, in every creature with a moist liver is a reward for charity.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5663, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2244

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
 
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There are other ways to solve problems. Vaccination and nuetering works for rest of the world. But that solution actually takes hardwork. Not expensive, its just time consuming.

Neutering does not remove from the dog its killer instinct. It will attack or kill humans and cats nevertheless. Neutering has not worked in India where that practice has been employed not to save humans and cats but to keep the dog alive for social reasons.

Now the next thing to consider is that if you feel that killing an animal because a life of a human is worth more than that of a dog let me explain to you how other humans think that same way about other humans as well.

Dogs carrying about a newly born human and eating it alive... Dogs killing a cat over a torturous 15 to 20 minutes... Dogs attacking and biting away old humans... Doesn't really describe the dog as a caring creature.

Tell me, there have been cases in India where leopards have ventured into villages and have been trapped and beaten to death. Why do such cases not get picked up by "animal rights activists" while anything related to dogs get their immediate attention ?

About how humans think about humans, I am an anti-war person.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man suffered from thirst while he was walking on a journey. When he found a well, he climbed down into it and drank from it. Then he came out and saw a dog lolling its tongue from thirst and licking the ground. The man said: This dog has suffered thirst just as I have suffered from it. He climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and caught it in his mouth as he climbed up. Then he gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated this deed, so he forgave him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?” The Prophet said, “Yes, in every creature with a moist liver is a reward for charity.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5663, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2244

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

You mention Abu Huraira. Tell me, would he have liked his beloved cats to be tortuously killed by a gang of eight dogs ?
 
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Neutering does not remove from the dog its killer instinct. It will attack or kill humans and cats nevertheless. Neutering has not worked in India where that practice has been employed not to save humans and cats but to keep the dog alive for social reasons.



Dogs carrying about a newly born human and eating it alive... Dogs killing a cat over a torturous 15 to 20 minutes... Dogs attacking and biting away old humans... Doesn't really describe the dog as a caring creature.

Tell me, there have been cases in India where leopards have ventured into villages and have been trapped and beaten to death. Why do such cases not get picked up by "animal rights activists" while anything related to dogs get their immediate attention ?

About how humans think about humans, I am an anti-war person.



You mention Abu Huraira. Tell me, would he have liked his beloved cats to be tortuously killed by a gang of eight dogs ?

Again with that level of response no wonder people are able to get away droning and beating human beings into the gutters. Did the prophet ask Abu Huraira if he asked the dog that if he had done any natural animal on animal crime before giving water?

Dogs resort to killer instincts because they are animals just like human beings. Dogs being fed by neighbors have no interest in cats. I will give you my story and then go ahead and replicate it according to Hadith. My neighborhood had a dog problem all of a sudden as 11 to 12 of them suddenly started appearing every night. Received a letter in the mailbox from our society members of keeping out pets inside for a few days since they will be putting out poison meat to kill the dogs. Went to the mosque next day and asked the imam to explain to the society that we can call edhi and have these dogs neutered and vaccinated. Convincing him was easy. Because it is common sense. You dont need to be a muslim to understand that. Anyway. Long story short called edhi and they said they were not able to take over 11 animals in one go. I said I will pay them if they can come to neuter and vaccinate the dogs here. Hearing money involved the dog catchers put us in the front line and took a day locating, subduing, drugging and operating on the dogs. Just for everyone else Edhi picks up stray dogs to relocate them for free. Not sure if my particular case is still possible but we have about 4 to 5 dogs left and our local mosque puts food for them. No children or adults bitten in years. No new dogs have also shown up. It is mentally exhausting to discuss simple things such as this here but sometimes it is necessary. But still there will be the lazy followers of religion of convenience instead of their own religion and bark stupid idiotic retorts just to be a horrible human being.

https://www.brandsynario.com/edhi-foundation-initiates-a-cost-free-drive-to-catch-stray-dogs/
 
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They are famous for treating their stray animals well cats or dogs alike

Bhai, my point is, would these Istanbuli people who care for Deniz the cat want their cat companion to be killed by dogs ? :)

Again with that level of response no wonder people are able to get away droning and beating human beings into the gutters.

1. I have told you that I am anti-war.

2. I am a socialist and want people to live harmoniously and without any socio-economic injustice and disparity.

Did the prophet ask Abu Huraira if he asked the dog that if he had done any natural animal on animal crime before giving water?

"Animal on animal crime" does not depict the cruelty with which dogs kill cats. The sound of a cat being killed by dogs is one of the saddest sounds one can hear.
 
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Bhai, my point is, would these Istanbuli people who care for Deniz the cat want their cat companion to be killed by dogs ? :)



1. I have told you that I am anti-war.

2. I am a socialist and want people to live harmoniously and without any socio-economic injustice and disparity.



"Animal on animal crime" does not depict the cruelty with which dogs kill cats. The sound of a cat being killed by dogs is one of the saddest sounds one can hear.

I know you are anti war. You are the guy on the other end of the stick. You ever seen a cat eating a rabbit?
 
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