Daily Times

Sir: The street dogs of Istanbul are treated with a surprising amount of respect by the state authorities. There are no anti-rabies drives nor are they shot or poisoned. They are treated with dignity and kindness. Free-roaming dogs are picked up off the streets and taken to local shelters, where they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and other diseases, treated for minor illnesses, ear-tagged for identification, and then released back to the neighbourhood where they were first picked up.

The state has also initiated a program to keep a constant check on the dogs as well. They have created a water proof identification card, which is planted as a computer chip on the dog’s ear. This ‘chip’ contains the dog’s complete history including date of birth, last inoculation and treatments provided in the past. The state does not stop here.

They have also created designated places which carry dog food. This provides our ‘little furry friends’ a free meal whenever they are in the mood to have some, and stops them from having to scavenge for food in dumpsters.

The authorities in Pakistan could learn a lot from this country that is constantly mentioned as one of our ‘dearest friends’. While dogs and all living things should be treated with respect, Pakistan could start by perhaps helping its homeless, beggars and thousands of underage kids living on the streets first. If the people in Istanbul can provide healthcare, shelter and food to their street dogs, surely the government in our country can do the same for the many people living on the fringes of society.

NAEEM SADIQ

Karachi

Published in Daily Times, July 13^th 2018.