Across Lahore and parts of Punjab, Pakistan, mass dog culling operations are currently being carried out under the justification of rabies control and stray population management.

Verified reports, videos, and eyewitness accounts show widespread killing of free-roaming dogs through rapid capture-and-kill operations conducted in populated urban areas. Citizens, rescuers, veterinarians, and volunteers attempting to peacefully document or oppose these actions have also reported intimidation, confrontation, and temporary detention.

This is not simply an animal welfare issue.

It is a public health, governance, and One Health policy issue.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) have repeatedly stated that mass dog culling is ineffective for long-term rabies control. International guidance instead supports evidence-based approaches such as:

• mass vaccination
• CNVR/TNVR (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release) programs
• sterilization and animal birth control initiatives
• public education and waste-management reform
• sustainable One Health planning involving human, animal, and environmental health

Despite this, humane and scientifically supported alternatives remain insufficiently implemented while recurring culling operations continue.

Mass culling creates fear, destabilizes dog populations, damages public trust, and fails to address the root causes of rabies transmission and unmanaged street animal populations.

At the same time, many Pakistanis are increasingly speaking out because they believe humane treatment, public safety, and effective rabies control can exist together.

We call upon the Government of Punjab, Lahore authorities, and relevant public-health institutions to:

• immediately halt inhumane mass dog culling operations
• implement large-scale vaccination and CNVR/TNVR programs
• adopt WHO and WOAH-aligned rabies-control policies
• engage veterinarians, animal welfare groups, and public-health experts in transparent planning
• protect the rights of peaceful citizens and advocates documenting these operations
• pursue humane, science-based, and sustainable One Health solutions

Pakistan deserves modern, compassionate, and evidence-based public-health policies — not recurring cycles of ineffective mass killing.

Please sign and share this petition to help raise international awareness and encourage humane reform before further escalation occurs.

Reference material and public documentation:

Facebook documentation and public response thread

Instagram video documenting active operations and public concern

Facebook video showing ongoing capture and public reaction