LAHORE: The Vehari district administration has ordered the mandatory registration of all pet dogs to curb a growing number of dog bite incidents and to ensure accountability of owners, officials said on Tuesday. The move follows a sharp rise in attacks across the district, which have injured several residents and resulted in at least one death. Authorities say the decision aims to strengthen public safety while improving oversight of domesticated animals.
Crackdown follows fatal and serious attacks
Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Goraya issued the directive after reports showed an alarming increase in dog bite cases, particularly affecting children and elderly citizens. According to an official handout, an elderly woman, Naziran Bibi, was mauled to death in Mailsi tehsil, while a minor boy, Zohaib, suffered serious injuries after packs of stray dogs attacked him. Consequently, the administration decided to take immediate regulatory action to prevent further tragedies.
Under the new orders, all pet dogs in the district must be registered with local authorities. Moreover, officials will record complete details of dog owners to establish responsibility in case of future incidents. The administration has also made it mandatory for owners to ensure timely vaccination of their pets, which officials believe will reduce health risks and improve animal management.
Legal action and stray dog operations
The deputy commissioner warned that authorities will book pet owners under criminal charges if their dogs bite or injure any person. Police will register cases against negligent owners to enforce compliance and deter irresponsible pet ownership. Meanwhile, the Mailsi tehsil administration has intensified action against stray dogs to control the wider problem.
Officials said more than 100 stray dogs were put down during a three-day campaign carried out jointly by the district council, local government bodies, and Suthra Punjab teams. Furthermore, the administration stressed that it will continue such operations alongside registration efforts to ensure long-term public safety.
