KARACHI: Expressing concern over the alarming rise in the cases of animal cruelty across Pakistan, civil society organisations demanded strict laws to protect animals from abuse and neglect, and to ensure their well-being, at a gathering held on Thursday at T2F.

The gathering was jointly organised by the ‘I am Noor Jehan’ movement and Pakistan Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in loving memory of Dobby the donkey.

On June 16, in Hyderabad, Dobby’s owner Hasan Rind brutally beat him to a point where both his hind legs were broken with muscles and ligaments torn beyond repair.

Dobby’s case became known by means of a video clip received by the police, his owner was traced and arrested, and Dobby was moved to a shelter in Karachi for treatment. He fought a tough fight, defying the odds attempting to stand tall on his fragmented joints. But the injuries, the infection, the gangrene were far too grave for Dobby to cope, and he tragically passed away a few days later.

“Today’s gathering in Karachi is a powerful demonstration of the collective will of civil society to protect animals and push for legislative change,” said Jude Allen of the ‘I Am NoorJehan’ movement.

Recalling recent cases of animal cruelty including a camel losing its leg, a donkey with severed ears and a puppy thrown off a roof, Mr Allen underscored the urgent need for action.

The speakers also shared concern over the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act of 1890, pointing out the centuries’ old law was obsolete and inadequate to meet today’s requirements.

The provinces, they said, had the autonomy to create their own legislation or adopt national laws under the 18th constitutional amendment.

A new draft bill prepared by the livestock department Sindh in 2021 hadn’t been presented in the legislative assembly for approval yet, they said.

“The government should act swiftly to bring this vital legislation to safeguard the well-being of animals in Sindh as well as in Pakistan,” said Naeem Abbas of The Brooke-Pakistan.

The organisation, he said, was actively collaborating with all provincial livestock departments in the country and civil society to update animal welfare bills.

“The goal is to ensure that those who inflict cruelty on animals face legal consequences, thereby improving overall animal welfare.”

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Bulhan Bachayo and journalist Yusra Askari also spoke.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2024