Activists protest in front of the Islamabad National Press Club on Friday.

Animal rights activists took to the streets of Islamabad on Friday, protesting against the culling of dogs in the capital.

Activists staged their demand in front of the Islamabad National Press Club, asking the Pakistan government to stop the animal cruelty.

The periodic culling of dogs using poison tablets hidden in meat has drawn criticism from animal rights activists in Pakistan.

Activist Anila Umair said, “The culling of dog is not the solutions. If the government thinks that dog is having rabies… they should get them vaccinated. And also to control the dogs’ population they should use the proper method that is called Trap–neuter–release, commonly known as TNR.”

The march received support from several organisations in the country.

Some officials have extended their support to the culling, saying that it is necessary because packs of strays posed a threat to residents.

In recent times, Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital treated 6,500 people bitten by dogs and this year so far it has seen 3,700 cases, said Dr. Seemin Jamali, head of the emergency room.