Across Pakistan, stray dogs and cats have become a significant public policy concern, with animal culling often perceived as a solution to manage their rapidly growing populations. However, the widespread killing of stray dogs highlights not only governmental shortcomings in upholding and validating animal rights but also undermines societal virtue, raising critical questions about the Pakistani government’s ability to uphold democratic principles. This ongoing predicament reveals a significant gap between the core tenets of democratic governance and the formulation of sustainable policies that respect all life on land, as outlined in SDG 15 under the 2030 Agenda.

In Pakistan, the estimated population of stray dogs is around 3 million, primarily concentrated in urban areas. With such a vast number, over one million dog bites and attacks are reported annually. Government policies and administrative measures to control this growing population often involve inhumane practices such as poisoning, gassing, shooting, stunning, and euthanasia.

According to a report by an animal rights society, the incidence of rabies in Karachi stands at approximately........

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