Images

A dog attack in Karachi's DHA sparks an internet debate about pet ownership

A dog attack in Karachi's DHA sparks an internet debate about pet ownership

A man was viciously attacked by two pet dogs and abandoned by the animals' handlers.
22 Jun, 2021

A man out for a walk in Karachi's DHA was attacked by two pet dogs, sparking a debate on pet ownership. The dogs were being walked by a handler who was unable to control them or even pull them off as they attacked the man.

The man in question has been identified as Mirza Akhter Ali, a lawyer. Ali, though injured, is out of danger, and has filed an attempted murder FIR in the case. The two handlers have been arrested.

CCTV footage of the incident circulated on social media, sparking debates about pet ownership. Disclaimer: the video is very graphic and should be watched at your own discretion.

In the video, the dogs are not on a leash. They run at and pounce on the victim while the handler looks on in horror. He tries to pull off the dogs but to no avail and eventually runs away to get some help. In the meantime, the man writhes on the ground, trying to get away from the dogs. Eventually, the handler returns with another man who helps pull the dogs off.

The owner of the dogs was identified as Humayun Khan, a former police officer, who has also been nominated in the FIR.

The internet debate can be divided into two groups — one side maintains that pet owners are responsible for the behaviour of their pets while the other says pets shouldn't be kept at all.

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy shared a post on her Instagram Story that claimed that the dogs were known to be dangerous and that neighbours had previously also reported the owners to DHA.

Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir said dog are adopted, like children, not bought like furniture. "It has needs and when you adopt it you sign up to fulfil those needs and perform that responsibility," he wrote.

Assigning the responsibility for the incident entirely on the owners, he said, "Leaving untrained pets in hands of untrained staff can have fatal consequences."

Other social media users shared similar opinions.

In the opposite camp, some people argued against having pet dogs altogether. They said animals can't truly be domesticated.

This user made their thoughts clear, saying dogs are "not to be kept in homes."

This one called for a complete ban on pet dogs.

Many people in Pakistan have little patience for dogs — pets or strays — and have called for them to be culled after cases of dog attacks. That has also been, in part, the government's strategy to deal with stray dogs — culling. This new video has strengthened many people's resolve that this is the only answer to the problem.

This user spoke about how such ideas lead to harmless stray dogs in her neighbourhood, which is not the same as the attack, being put down.

We don't agree with the argument that dogs can't be domesticated but we do believe that pet owners need to step up. If you take on the responsibility of owning a pet, you must train that pet and ensure that it isn't violent. Many animals find themselves stuck in toxic and careless households where they have no training and are left to their own devices. If you own a pet, be responsible.

Comments

Samishaikh Jun 22, 2021 01:48pm
Pet owner of this incident should have given punishment to overcome loss occurred by the victim.
Recommend (0)
SHAHID LAKHANI Jun 22, 2021 01:49pm
There have been so many similar cases, this is just one which we got to know due to CCTV. I believe there should be a ban on taking these dangerous aminals out of the houses.
Recommend (0)
Dr Mansoor Jun 22, 2021 02:25pm
Dogs should be put down , dog owners can be very irresponsible some times. In west this would lead to Jail for the owner and obviously heavy compensation for injuries. The person injured is a lawyer so its good in a way that this case will be persued.
Recommend (0)
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi Jun 22, 2021 02:26pm
Dog owner and his dog handlers must be arrested forthwith. What is more objectionable is that it happened in the posh area of Karachi and the two dogs who pounced upon the senior lawyer are not street dogs in any case but very much domesticated and owned by a retired police officer. Police should punish them as savagely as the senior advocate has been injured by the dog. Call of the time is that it be announced in newspapers and on tv channels that public is invited to see live how dogs bite the owner and both handlers on such date, time, the same place in Clifton where the advocate was bitten by the dogs, which is to be telecasted live on all the tv channels. I am suggesting, dog bite will never ever not stop in any case as many have been dog bitten for so many long years in many parts of country ever since I was schooling in 1960s. However, if we resort to codified manner like FIR and court it will not be stopped I dare challenge. Who disputes with me & how?exdiplomat@hotmail.com
Recommend (0)
Tenjee Jun 22, 2021 03:06pm
In UK dog owners are required to pick up the dog mess and bin it. Some through these little bags of dog mess into people's gardens. The increasing number of BritPak families with dogs has resulted in an increase in the dog mess on footpaths. They tend to buy trophy dogs like pit bull, Akitas as a symbol rather than as a companion. Even here though dangerous dogs are not muzzled. We have cases too of family pet dogs turning on the family childrenand maulling them. I wouldn't keep a pet dog unless I was alone. But then you hear stories of lonely dog owners who die and are found part eaten by their hungry pet. Paapi Pehth.
Recommend (0)
Nunya Jun 22, 2021 03:21pm
Violent dogs should be put down and owners should serve time. It would be a shame if just the handler ends up being in jail rather than the owner.
Recommend (0)
Asad Jun 22, 2021 03:39pm
Keeper and Dogs are equally responsible and indistinguishable for crime against man, so both should be banned on street in different way.
Recommend (0)
chengez k Jun 22, 2021 03:49pm
Too many dogs !!!
Recommend (0)
Asif Parvez Jun 22, 2021 04:01pm
Dogs should have been put to death and owner jailed and finned heavily and made an example of. But he probably will bribe officials and get away with it!
Recommend (0)
Saleem Jun 22, 2021 04:48pm
I like dogs but these should have been on a leash. Secondly, a dog that has mauled a human in a non-threatening scenario needs to be put down since it will most likely do it again.
Recommend (0)
Asad Khan Jun 22, 2021 06:41pm
This is a tragic accident. In Pakistan dogs are kept for guarding and thus are meant to be ferocious. Owner needs to own the act and punished. However dogs are the most loving intelligent animal with emotions are the best pet. We can not go to any extreme and form the opinions. Who ever has owned a dog would tell you it is loved as a family member just as your child.
Recommend (0)
Taj Ahmad Jun 22, 2021 07:06pm
Wake-up call to all law makers, elected officials, law enforcements, pets owners, KMC animal control of stray dogs on our streets, please do somethings for public safety from dangerious animals in all small and big cities in Pakistan.
Recommend (0)
Khanm Jun 22, 2021 07:34pm
Now since the identification of the owner has been revealed. It has become an open and shut case...think of RAO ANWAR involved in extra judicial killing of hundreds of people ...does anyone know where he is ...no news about his fate...no news if this case will be ...change your system or else justice would only be the talk of the town and then it becomes a cold case ..
Recommend (0)
Masoom Ahmed Jun 22, 2021 07:35pm
These dogs should have been shot down to teach the retired police officer-owner a lesson of his own tasting.
Recommend (0)
Sohail Qureshi Jun 22, 2021 07:49pm
The dogs must be put to sleep and the owners/handlers imprisoned, then the legal case.
Recommend (0)
Abdul Wahab Jun 22, 2021 07:54pm
As far as my knowledge, there is law in Pakistan and many other countries that keeping such vishous dogs the owner of such animal may possess license to keep such dogs along full medical records
Recommend (0)
Philosopher (From Japan) Jun 22, 2021 08:37pm
In Japan, if dog bites the penalty to owner is straight forward payment to victim around 100,000,000 yen.
Recommend (0)
Shaw s Jun 22, 2021 11:06pm
Nothing will happen .. its a rtd Police Officer and his 2 sons.. all Police will be on one side... This lawyer's mouth will be stuffed with some money to keep his mouth shut, and a serious threat of life to his family .. then all will be fine;
Recommend (0)
M. Saeed Jun 22, 2021 11:49pm
We are a hopeless nation having no etiquette to keep pets.
Recommend (0)
Zufr Jun 23, 2021 12:54am
Pets in posh areas are symbols brands like big cars a show of wealth, these dogs are money and sone are imported at great expense, issue is these owners know nothing about These breads and their needs, in simple terms these dogs are a weapon in the wrong hands they are lethal, need a licence to carry a weapon then get a license to own a dangerous dog.
Recommend (0)
Samih Khan (USA) Jun 23, 2021 07:22am
A retired police officer, the owner of dogs, lives in Defense posh area?
Recommend (0)
Queen Jun 23, 2021 10:09am
Who let the dogs out?
Recommend (0)