LHC allows PPP to join petition on stray dog attacks

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday permitted the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) to become a party in a case concerning the increasing number of stray dog attacks.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard an application moved by PPP Animal Welfare Wing President Zoya Mir. Barrister Maqsooma Zahra Bokhari appeared for the applicant and referred to laws related to the protection of animal rights.

She asked the court to allow the PPP to join the proceedings, saying the matter carried public importance. The court accepted the request and allowed the applicant to be included as a necessary party in the main petition, which had been filed by the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA).

Arguments before the court

During the hearing, YDA’s counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique argued that rabid and stray dogs should be culled. He told the court that the government’s measures to vaccinate dogs were insufficient.

He also alleged that the authorities had not taken effective steps to control such incidents. The case relates to concerns over the rise in attacks involving rabid and stray dogs.

Barrister Bokhari, appearing on behalf of Zoya Mir, cited animal protection laws while seeking the PPP’s inclusion in the proceedings. The court then approved the application and made the applicant a party to the petition.

Next hearing

Following the proceedings, Justice Ishaq adjourned the matter until May 20 for further hearing.

The petition was originally filed by the Young Doctors’ Association, and the latest development means the PPP will now participate in the case as a necessary party. The hearing focused on both public safety concerns arising from stray dog attacks and the legal issues raised in relation to animal rights protections.

The court order came after the applicant’s counsel argued that the issue was of public importance and warranted the PPP’s participation. On the other side, the petitioner’s counsel maintained that stronger action was needed in response to the growing number of incidents and questioned the adequacy of the government’s vaccination efforts.

With the PPP now added to the proceedings, the case will resume on May 20 before the Lahore High Court.