Monthly Archive for April, 2006

Richmond Crawford Veterinary Hospital

Richmond Crawford Veterinary Hospital

Letter in DAWN:

APROPOS of H. A. Hajis reminiscences of Karachi (April 3) and his recollections of the Richmond Crawford Hospital, I too have very good memories of this great veterinary institution, a landmark of Karachi. Tremendous help was rendered to ailing animals, particularly pet dogs, by the chief superintendent, Dr Syed Wisaq-ul Hassan Rizvi.

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Richmond Crawford Veterinary Hospital

Letter in DAWN:

Sunday’s column informs that Karachi’s oldest government Richmond Crawford Veterinary Hospital on M.A. Jinnah Road is soon to disappear. The service book of my grandfather, Khan Bahadur Dr S.G. Haji, has entries that he was “veterinary officer” at this hospital from May 4, 1892 to May 15, 1912. He retired as deputy superintendent, Veterinary Department of Sinds, Balochistan and Rajputana on Aug 3, 1922 and died in London on Dec 7, 1924. The service book of my father, Dr C.S.G. Haji, has entries that he was “Acting In charge” in this hospital on May 14, 1912 and “veterinary surgeon” on Feb 1, 1924 when he was promoted as “veterinary inspector”.

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Spay and neuter

A spay and neuter message

Animal cruelty rife in DGK

The News report on animal cruelty rife in Dera Ghaza Khan

Rabies Control

Letter in DAWN:

I STRONGLY endorse the views expressed in the editorial of April 6 regarding rabies control. As rightly pointed out, the methods adopted to address the problem over the years (like the shooting down of pye dogs and the administering of the lethal chemical strachin) have proved to be absolutely futile. The agony and the pain suffered by the animals entailed in these methods is a sad reflection on our values and feelings as human beings and reveals an apathetic state of mind towards the plight of the creatures of the so-called lower species. These creatures like human beings must fit in the Almighty’s scheme of things and are entitled to our sympathy and care to the extent possible. It is unbecoming on our part as human beings to resort to any action which causes pain and misery to living beings.

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Protecting wildlife in Pakistan

Editorial in DAWN:

NEWS that a PPP MPA from Punjab has submitted a bill seeking to restrict the discretion of game wardens to issue hunting permits is welcome and one hopes that the bill will be adopted. As it is, there are 72 birds and animals recognised as endangered species under the existing law but the government has done little to ensure that they are not hunted. If anything, laws have been ignored and hunting permits given to the rich and the influential, notably from the Gulf states.

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Learn the facts about hunting

See Learn the Facts about Hunting for why hunting just doesn’t work.

Dealing with rabies

Editorial in DAWN:

There are various animal birth control programmes that have been successfully tried in many countries which are humane and cost-effective. Animal rights groups in Karachi argue that instead of brutally killing stray dogs, birth control procedures can be used on the animal which can prevent the spread of rabies. If veterinarians are willing to offer their services in this regard, as the animal rights group claim, the city administration should move forward with this programme, especially since it had little success with other methods.

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Hope springs eternal…

Cowasjee in DAWN:

Last week I touched on the subject of the impending destruction of what remains of Jehangir Park (Behram Bagh) in Karachi’s Saddar area and of the closure of the city’s only animal hospital, the Richmond Crawford on M A Jinnah Road. We have good news on both fronts. Our city government marauders have shelved them. However, we must remain alert. As they say in Bushland, ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’ Our hydra-headed monster may well arise once again, mobilized as it is by ignorance.

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