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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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Towards a more humane approach to stray dog control by Malsiri Dias, Co-ordinator Sterilization/Neutering Project, AWPA
On an average, every female dog gives birth to 12 pups each year from the age of one year onwards. A female cat can have three pregnancies a year and five or six kittens per litter. Uncontrolled births arising mainly from irresponsible pet ownership remain the basic cause of the stray dog problem in Sri Lanka, a factor ignored by health authorities at national and local levels responsible for the Rabies Control Programme. In the midst of activities to control the stray dog population in 2002, there were 64 confirmed cases of human rabies. All cases would have resulted in death.Sri Lankan officials continue to use precious financial resources to kill dogs. At a recent meeting it was disclosed that in 2003, Colombo District Health Services (other than the Colombo Municipal area) had a recurrent expenditure of Rs. 250,000 for dog elimination which included payments for cadre, the vehicle and rewards for the dog-catchers at the rate of Rs. 2.50 per animal killed identified by the dog tails brought in. On human rabies vaccine the expenditure was 2.6 million. The number of dogs killed in all parts of the island is unavailable nor the total expenditure incurred on the elimination of dogs and in the treatment of patients admitted to hospitals for dog bites and for inoculations with the human rabies vaccine. The Animal Welfare and Protection Association (AWPA) believes that the expenditure incurred by the health authorities and the local government institutions run to millions. In fact, the AWPA in a consultation with a Minister of Health expressed a view that if an iota of the money spent on the rabies control programme especially on the elimination of dogs is given to the non-governmental sector to expand their stray dog control activities which includes sterilization/neutering programmes and community awareness programmes, non-pedigreed dogs may have to be imported to accommodate the needs of the less privileged members of our society to own a pet. It is in the context of promoting responsible pet ownership to control rabies in Sri Lanka that the AWPA continues with a monthly sterilization/neutering programme. Low-income pet owners from Colombo and Dehiwela/Mt. Lavinia make use of this free service. However, it is not unusual for pet owners to bring female dogs from places such as Kelaniya or Athurugiriya, spending money on transport. To cater to persons unable to bring an animal due to distance or other reasons such as the animal being a street dog or the animal being fierce the Association has a Referral Scheme where Veterinary Surgeons close to the owner are contacted to perform the operation. The AWPA acknowledges the services Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. C. Molligoda, Dr. S. Karunanayake, Dr. S. Subasinghe, the veterinary surgeons at Pets-V- Care, Dr. S. Kodikara, Dr. S. S. Gallage, Dr. D. S. Maharambe and Dr. S. P. B. R. Madawala and Dr. S. Fernando. Under the Referral Scheme we have been able to cover a few street dogs, operating on them, keeping the animals in care and releasing them after an anti-rabies vaccination. Such dogs are to be identified by a red-collar. However, the Colombo Municipal authorities refuse to recognize this identification, quoting the law on the definition of a stray dog and expressing a view that their dog-catchers are unable to identify colours. Lobbying for the rights of these animals remains a difficult task with Local Government Veterinary and Health authorities. Officials take the easy way out by killing the animals in the most inhumane manner of pumping carbon-monoxide to a closed vehicle or poisoning, resulting in slow death and untold misery to the animal. The sterilization - neutering programme of the AWPA The AWPA continues to provide a free sterilization/neutering to pet owners with the main objectives of: - Promoting responsible pet ownership The total number of animals sterilized/neutered during 2003 was 460. Veterinary team We acknowledge with thanks the continued support of the Veterinary Team led by Prof. Indira Silva from the Peradeniya University to provide a valuable service for the regular programme at the Transit Home and at field locations. They serve the Association with dedication, attending to the animals with care while recognizing that many of the owners though less privileged love their animals and appreciate the veterinary service. Costs Surgical procedures involve heavy costs on drugs, sutures, theatre facilities and veterinary services. While the Transit Home provides the institutional support for many of the programmes the AWPA bears the total costs for such programmes which is estimated at approximately Rs. 800/- per animal. Referral costs vary according to the services provided as at times payment is made to the veterinary clinic for boarding facilities. On many an occasion committee members and ordinary members have borne the total costs of the referrals and have made available their vehicles to transport the animals after the operation. A sterilization programme catering to 20 or 30 animals need the services of volunteers which the Association has been able to mobilize. There are many who perform a silent service attending to the street dogs and we acknowledge their work and support them when requested to do so. We sincerely thank all the donors both local and overseas and the volunteers who have assisted the Association to maintain this important activity in the midst of problems and constraints. We intend to continue with the programme in the firm belief that killing of dogs does not in any way contribute to the control of the stray dog population in Sri Lanka and actions of this nature on the part of a national government further contributes to the degradation of values on the sanctity of life of any living being. Plans for 2004 The AWPA intends to continue with the monthly sterilization/neutering programme with resources made available through our members and other donors. We will extend fullest support to the Health Authorities in their efforts to move towards a more humane approach to stray-dog control. A pilot project on promoting responsible pet-ownership is scheduled to start in Piliyandala with the support of the Regional Director of Health Services, Colombo District and the Deputy Director of Health Services. The AWPA intends to assist in the community education programmes and in the dog-identification process by making available a red water-proof band/collar to identify immunized dogs. We also request donors to support the sterilization of such identified dogs. Through such a systematic programme, elimination of rabies would no doubt be an achievable goal. |
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