A renewed campaign by the Municipal Corporation Lahore against stray dogs has triggered controversy, with animal rights activists accusing authorities of using inhumane methods, including poisonous injections, during operations across different parts of Lahore. In recent days, anti-stray dog operations were conducted in Sultan Colony, Township, Shadbagh, Green Town, and several other areas following complaints from residents and reports of dog attacks.

In recent days, anti-stray dog operations were conducted in Sultan Colony, Township, Shadbagh, Green Town, and several other areas following complaints from residents and reports of dog attacks.

According to district administration and MCL officials, the campaign intensified after a child was reportedly killed in Sultan Colony a few days ago. Authorities said multiple stray dogs had been captured as part of the operation aimed at protecting public safety.

However, animal welfare organisations strongly criticised the campaign, arguing that the killing of stray dogs violates the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 and court directives, which recommend sterilisation and vaccination instead of culling.

Animal rights activist Fasiha Khan alleged in a social media post that stray dogs were being poisoned in Lahore and called for an immediate halt to the operation.

Meanwhile, Critters Ark Welfare Organisation Pakistan claimed that activists protesting outside Lahore Town Hall on May 6 were taken into custody.

Animal welfare activist Syed Ali Haider alleged that MCL staff had confined dozens of dogs, including puppies, in a van with the intention of killing them.

He said he requested authorities to transfer the animals to shelters instead, but later faced a police case at Islampura Police Station for allegedly interfering in official duties.

Haider further claimed he was told the case could be withdrawn if he agreed not to protest on the stray dog issue in the future.

Another social media post circulating on May 10 alleged that nearly 100 stray dogs were killed in and around Sultan Colony.

The issue has also reached the Lahore High Court, where hearings regarding the implementation of the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 were held last month.

On April 14, government departments assured the court that measures aligned with the policy would be adopted and that large-scale killings would be avoided.

Rejecting the allegations, MCL officials insisted that the operations were being conducted according to legal and public safety requirements. Officials maintained that immediate action was sometimes necessary in cases involving dangerous or diseased dogs.

Animal welfare experts and activists said the long-term solution to the stray dog problem lies in large-scale sterilisation, vaccination campaigns, improved waste management, and proper registration of pet animals rather than culling operations, which they argue provide only temporary relief.

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