To control the increase in the population of stray dogs in Peshawar, the Peshawar Livestock Department has decided to neuter the animals instead of culling them and is offering a cash reward of Rs 200 to anyone who brings in a stray dog to the department.
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According to a report in The Express Tribune, the decision was taken after residents of the provincial capital complained about an increase in the population of stray dogs in the city. According to a survey by the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP), there are approximately 7,500 to 10,000 stray dogs in the Peshawar district alone.
KP Livestock Department Director Dr Syed Masoom Ali Shah, while discussing the matter said: “We have to change the mindset of killing stray dogs, which is a common practice.” He added that the population of stray dogs can be controlled by neutering them.
Dr Masoom revealed that a special centre, which can operate up to 100 dogs in a day, has been set up for this purpose.
He shared that the dogs will be neutered and sterilised by conducting an operation and will then be released back onto the streets. Before releasing the dog, a collar with reflectors will be fixed around its neck and a tattoo would be printed on its ear as a mark that the dog has been operated upon.
“The project is first ever in Pakistan and will not only serve in maintaining public health through containing rabies but would also stop the cruel practice of culling of stray dogs through shooting and poisoning,” Dr Masoom said.
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Dr Masoom further remarked that “the objective of the cash reward is to involve those who have lost livelihoods due to the coronavirus lockdown in an activity that aims at ensuring better public health and safety.”
However, the doctor advised people to be careful while catching a dog as it can bite them. He said a stray dog can easily be coaxed by offering it some food, patting on the head and then tying it with a rope.
While stray dogs are a “nuisance” to the public across the country, the recommendation to cull them had sparked outrage across the country with activists and animal lovers demanding the government to adopt more humane measures to control their population.
