LAHORE – In a shocking act of cruelty, unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on stray dogs inside a private housing society on Defence Road in Lahore’s Kahna area, killing several animals in the dead of night.
CCTV footage and photos of the attack have surfaced online, clearly showing armed men targeting the dogs before fleeing.
The incident has sparked outrage, particularly as it violates a clear directive from the Lahore High Court, which has banned the killing of stray dogs. Instead, the court instructed the Punjab government to implement the TNVR policy—Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release—a humane approach aimed at controlling stray dog populations without resorting to lethal measures.
Residents said the attackers arrived late at night, shot at the dogs, and immediately disappeared. Locals also revealed that this is not an isolated case; similar killings have been reported in other parts of the city, raising concerns about a growing trend of unlawful vigilantism.
While citizens admit that stray dog attacks—especially on children—pose a genuine risk, they also blame municipal and livestock authorities for failing to adopt effective, humane solutions. Lahore has no official estimate of its stray dog population, but civil society groups believe the number is between 30,000 and 35,000, with most animals unvaccinated and unneutered, further compounding public health risks.
Animal welfare experts warn that unless the TNVR policy is fully enforced, the problem will only worsen. In the absence of government-led action, they fear that frustrated residents may continue taking the law into their own hands, leading to further legal, ethical, and social complications.
