Earlier this week, a video released by NKH Animal Rescue and Shelter captured a disturbing encounter. A man, Khizzer Javed of DHA Phase 9 Lahore, issued open threats to animal rescue workers and declared:
“These stray dogs will leave. You can do nothing about it.” He insisted on being identified and filmed, evidently confident in the impunity of his words.
When informed of the Lahore High Court’s March 2025 order banning dog culling, he showed no concern. Later, in an Instagram story, he attempted to justify his actions by drawing an arbitrary moral line between ‘good’ and ‘violent’ strays—a familiar deflection used to sanitise cruelty. He also went on to refer to NKH’s female rescue workers using misogynistic slurs, underscoring not only a disregard for animal welfare, but for women in public workspaces.
Let us be clear: dog culling is not only illegal, but also inhumane and ineffective. The Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 outlines lawful, humane methods for managing stray populations, including vaccination, sterilisation, and rehabilitation. These are evidence-based tools that protect both communities and animals without resorting to violence.
We urge the relevant authorities to enforce the court’s ruling without exception. But beyond legal enforcement, this moment asks us all: What kind of public do we want to be?
Support local shelters. NKH and similar organisations are under-resourced and overburdened, but they are doing the real work of protecting both animals and communities. Let this incident not only be a reminder of what is wrong, but a chance to give back to those trying to set it right.
Compassion is enforceable. So is the law.