CHITRAL, August 3, 2025 — The district administration of Lower Chitral has launched a pilot project to control the growing stray dog population.
Acting on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Rao Hashim Azim, the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) and the Livestock Department are jointly implementing the initiative.
The project uses the Trap–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return (TNVR) method. Field teams are capturing stray dogs and transporting them to Civil Veterinary Hospitals in Chitral and Drosh. There, veterinary staff neuter the animals and administer anti-rabies vaccines.
Once recovered, the dogs receive ID collars and are released into non-residential areas. This humane strategy helps reduce the stray dog population over time, lowers the risk of rabies, and promotes calmer behavior among the animals.
The month-long project aims to ensure a safer and healthier environment for residents. Officials have urged the public to support and cooperate with the teams on the ground.
A very sensible project from the government, for a change. Stray dogs should not be shot or poisoned as has been the practice. Instead they should be neutered and allowed to live their lives without multiplying. For this, stray dog sanctuaries need to be established by the govt instead of again letting them loose.