The Untold Tragedy of Animal Cruelty

Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: In a heartbreaking display of cruelty, several stray dogs—commonly known as man’s best friend—were found poisoned, left to die in agony. This brutal act leaves behind not just lifeless bodies, but burning questions that demand answers. Who authorized this barbaric act, and why did it happen? The answers to these questions will expose a tale of inhumanity, indifference, and a systemic failure to protect the voiceless.
The dogs were poisoned and left to die in public spaces, their bodies lying as silent witnesses to human cruelty. This inhumane act points directly to local administrations, specifically departments tasked with managing stray animals.
While Pakistan has laws against animal cruelty, such as the Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1890, which provides a mere six-month punishment for cruelty, enforcement remains almost non-existent. In the last two months alone, multiple incidents have surfaced that highlight the shocking extent of brutality against animals in the “land of the pure.”

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Consider the horrifying case of a young female camel that lost her leg simply because she dared to graze on a landlord’s field. Trusting the humans who caught her, she was brutally punished with a severed front leg. Another pregnant camel suffered an even more gruesome fate—having all her legs chopped off for the same “crime” and ultimately dying from blood loss. Similarly, stories have emerged of donkeys being used as target practice or having their ears chopped off due to human disputes. These incidents show that the cruelty knows no bounds and is often a reflection of human tyranny at its worst.
Despite these incidents making headlines, the plight of these voiceless beings largely remains unnoticed by authorities. The tears of a camel, recorded in a video that went viral, caused an uproar across Pakistan, yet there has been no report of any meaningful action taken against the perpetrators. It is a painful irony that in a country striving for “image building,” such acts of cruelty repeatedly cast it in a negative light globally.
Pakistan has seen international outrage before, such as with Kaavan, the “world’s loneliest elephant,” who suffered decades of abuse and neglect in Islamabad Zoo before finally being airlifted to safety in Cambodia. His story of survival and rehabilitation is now symbolic of what happens when the world pays attention.

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On the other hand, the tragic tale of Noor Jehan, another elephant who died in captivity due to neglect, mirrors the fate of many animals suffering in silence. Even lions have not been spared—killed during mishandled relocation efforts by incompetent zoo staff. These zoos, often described as “hellholes,” are notorious for embezzling funds meant for animal care and smuggling animals into the black market for profit.
The situation is dire and continues to worsen. The laws meant to protect these animals are either outdated or poorly enforced. The Pakistan Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, a relic from the British colonial era, remains toothless against the wave of cruelty sweeping the country.
This leaves us with a burning question: How long will this continue? When will the law take its course and serve justice for these innocent lives?
It is high time for Pakistan to wake up to this crisis. The world is watching, and the nation’s humanity is on trial. The tears of these animals, the cries of those who cannot speak, demand justice.
For every dog poisoned, every camel mutilated, and every elephant neglected, there is a call for action that grows louder by the day. It is not just about saving animals; it is about saving the soul of a nation.

The writer has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.

Photo:Ruhail Raja