Police have arrested three people after a district council employee was allegedly abducted and assaulted while carrying out a stray dog culling operation in Chak 72/4-R, Sahiwal.
According to police, employee Fida Hussain was carrying out a stray dog culling operation in the village on Saturday when he was confronted after killing two dogs.
The confrontation reportedly escalated into an argument over the culling.
Police identified the main suspect as landlord Shamoon Jatoi and said he was accompanied by Abid Ali Bhatti, Bilal Baloch, Majid and two unidentified armed men.
The men allegedly objected to the operation, calling the killing of stray dogs cruel and an anti-animal practice.
Hussain was subsequently taken to an outhouse, where the suspects allegedly confined and assaulted him. His mobile phone was also reportedly taken.
The incident was brought to the attention of police after local residents who witnessed what happened contacted the 15 emergency helpline, police said.
Officers later raided the outhouse and found Hussain there, according to police.
Fateh Sher police registered a case following a complaint by district council Enforcement Inspector Muhammad Ziarat.
He was rescued and three suspects were taken into custody, while the others managed to escape.
Police did not provide further details about the three arrests or identify the two men who escaped.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by local authorities to control the stray dog population, with district council teams carrying out culling operations in areas where the animals are reported to pose a threat to residents.
