National Policy to control stray dogs

Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha has advised relevant officers to implement a National Policy to control stray dogs. In addition, Minister has decided to inaugurate a pilot project in Colombo District over a period of six months as a means of controlling stray dogs. 

Accordingly, Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary Kamal Padmasiri will appoint a committee to make the Cabinet aware of the decisions taken within three weeks. The members of the committee are Secretaries of the Ministries of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Livestock and Rural Community Development, and Commissioner of Western Province and the Municipal Veterinarian in Colombo District. 

Musthapha said: “There are about 500,000 of stray dogs in Sri Lanka. This amount increases day by day. Local Government Authorities receive a huge number of complaints from the public who face difficulties because of this issue. A permanent solution is needed for this problem. If pet dogs go stray or dogs are not registered and if the dogs are released for public places, actions will be taken against the owners.”

According to a decision taken by the Cabinet last year, Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government is amending the existing ordinance related to rabies and ordinance related   registering dogs. It is coordinating with Animal Welfare Associations and Technical officers. Under the new amendments, provisions have been included to control dog population. Welfare organisations for animals have agreed to these amendments.

According to new amendments, actions will be taken to control dogs with no owners and less number of dogs will have to be killed. Provisions have been included in a manner that the rabies vaccination is a must while registering dogs. 

Provisions in the new amendments say that a National Advisory Committee is to be appointed including members from the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of Livestock and Rural Community Development, and Department of Animal Health to regulate, instruct and to supervise the actions that are taken to prevent and control Rabies.

According to these new Amendments, it is the duty of all Local Government Authorities to register all dogs in the relevant administrative area annually. If a particular person neglects registering dogs or fails to issue the registering certificate of registering, they will be fined Rs. 10,000.