It is not uncommon to see stray dogs being subjected to harsh treatment and even extermination. Unfortunately, Pakistan is one of those countries which continues to have very thin laws depicting animal rights.
Time and again, we face instances of crime against stray animals where the cruelty, negligence and ignorance of horrendous incidents by strong government policies leads situations much like a recent one that was faced by actor Tipu Sharif.
The actor took to social media to voice his absolute disgust and despair upon discovering how his adopted stray dogs were poisoned.
Voicing his concern and dismay on the barbarism faced by his pets in Karachi’s Clifton Block-5, Tipu didn’t hold back on the inhuman circumstances the animals may have been subjected to. “Look at the foam forming around her mouth. It clearly shows she was poisoned to death. She was one who was extremely kind and loving to humans She would approach humans only with a passion in her heart. And this is what she gets. Imagine the horrible pain she must have gone through. Did she really deserve this?”
The videos quickly gained momentum online as many were taken aback and spoke in complete support with the actor, urging the authoritative to take a strong stand and revise animal rights and laws within the country. Sharif urged for this unnecessary dog culling to come to an end. A few months earlier, a similar situation had risen where spray dogs being fed and put on a leash by yet another actor were mercilessly put down.
The sheer hostility and indifference towards the plight of stray dogs is leaving the masses baffled. When we are witnessing major animal welfare projects, successfully combating the pollution issues through a healthy and effective portal.
Such cases of unwarranted and unwarned culling killing are taking its toll on animal advocates in the country who feel major campaigns and awareness events need to be initiated to make noise on a larger platform.
Much like how the case of the world’s loneliest elephant in Pakistan was able to gain global attention and media focus, which lead to its eventual release to an animal haven in Cambodia. Similar to that, netizens have been urging for the actor and the likes of others to come together and use their stardom and influential position to talk about the situation on a larger and more prominent platform.
While there are many ways in which the country is progressing, when it comes to technological advancement or local development initiatives, it will definitely be considered as a major breakthrough when the laws and policies protecting animal rights, specifically against illegal killing and torture, would get a major update.
A country which promotes a religion of peace, peace towards all living things, animal cruelty is a subject which is always open to hot debate. Here’s hoping these discussions would like to a fruition of revised animal rights, that protect these voiceless creatures that deserve the freedom to live on this planet as much as anyone else.
