Islamabad: According to a survey conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, a majority of Pakistanis, 54%, consider the government’s practice of killing stray dogs to protect public safety as acceptable, while 32% view it as cruel or unjust.

The survey, which was released by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International, involved a nationally representative sample of 780 adult Pakistanis. Respondents were asked about their views on the government’s culling of stray dogs, with the majority expressing support for the practice. The survey found that support was higher among men, at 59%, and older respondents, at 72%. Conversely, support was lower among individuals with an FA+ educational background, at 44%.

The survey highlighted a nuanced perspective on the issue, with 13% of participants expressing uncertainty about the practice, and 1% offering no response. The findings indicate a complex interplay between safety, ethics, and societal perspectives, with older and less-educated individuals tending to be more supportive of the government’s actions, while younger and more educated respondents showed higher ethical concerns.

The survey was conducted between January 15 and February 3, 2026, across urban and rural areas of Pakistan’s four provinces using telephonic surveys. The error margin was estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 percent at the 95% confidence level.