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Humane Strategy - Newspaper

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13 views2 pages

Humane Strategy - Newspaper

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arslan.sheikh.1039
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11/4/24, 1:52 AM Humane strategy - Newspaper - DAWN.

COM

E-PAPER | NOVEMBER 04, 2024

Humane strategy
Editorial | Published February 16, 2024

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DOG culling has ended in Sindh, the high court


was recently told, marking a shift towards a more
humane and scientifically sound method of rabies
control and stray dog population management.
Under the Rabies Control Programme, some
125,000 strays will be neutered/spayed and
vaccinated by June 2025. This strategy has been
endorsed by recent studies and has been
successfully implemented in several countries. A
notable example within Pakistan is the Indus
Hospital’s Rabies Free Pakistan initiative, which
dramatically reduced dog attacks in a small fishing
village through vaccination and sterilisation. The
RCP’s ambitious goals, including the
establishment of rabies vaccination centres across
20 districts, are commendable. However, the
success of such programmes hinges on sustained
funding, community engagement, and transparent
progress monitoring. As dog bites and rabies cases
continue to pose a significant health risk, the
RCP’s efforts must translate into tangible results
on the ground. The high court’s directives for the

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11/4/24, 1:52 AM Humane strategy - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

release of funds, and to launch a dedicated


helpline and mobile applications to report dog
bites are steps in the right direction, fostering a
proactive community response.

Dog culling has never been the answer. It is a brutal, short-


sighted solution that fails to address the root causes of
disease transmission and overpopulation, such as lack of
sterilisation, vaccination, and responsible pet ownership. It
merely offers a temporary dip in stray dog population. New
dogs quickly fill the void left by those culled, perpetuating
the cycle of overpopulation and rabies risk. The evidence is
clear: vaccination and sterilisation programmes not only
save lives but also promote coexistence between humans
and animals. The RCP’s approach, emphasising public
education, jabs, and respect for animal life promises not
only to safeguard human health but also to uphold ethical
and sustainable public health and animal welfare practices.
As Sindh adopts humane strategies to manage the
challenge, other provinces should follow suit.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024

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