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| Sunday, 7 August 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Improving standards of animal welfare
Animal welfare featured high in Sri Lanka in times past specially with the two major religions Buddhism and Hinduism based on the doctrine of Ahimsa advocating humanism towards fellow beings which include the animal world. In ancient times Kings set up animal hospitals. King Buddhadasa who reigned around 362 AD was an Animal Doctor. But from colonial times to the present day Governments have not rated Animal Welfare sufficiently high to formulate a policy of humane treatment of animals. With widespread public concern and without about the spread of rabies among the dog population the issue of how to deal with the situation has come to the fore. The municipal dog pound's only practice to deal with stray and rabid dogs is to "Catch and Kill". It is strongly felt that this policy be abandoned without delay. Many examples are cited on the ineffectiveness of such a policy on the control of rabies and reduction of the stray dog population. One such example is the case of Chennai where the practice of "Catch and Kill" was implemented for over 100 years. In 1860 100 dogs were killed per year while 100 years later in 1964 16,000 dogs were killed, by 1995, the number of dogs killed per year increased to 30,000. The Catch and Kill policy had proved completely ineffective and in fact, even to have the opposite effect. Chennai city has now adopted a new policy for stray dog control. It is called the ABC programme - Animal Birth Control Programme. This is implemented with the assistance and guidance of the WHO. Since adopting this policy the number of human deaths by rabies has reduced from 107 in 1987 to 16 in 2002 and similar improvements are reported from other cities of India. Taking the above into consideration, it is now proposed that government adopts a policy of humane treatment of dogs similar to that adopted by many neighbouring countries and others. Main factors to be included in a policy framework for humane treatment of dogs. Systematic anti-rabies immunization of 70-80% of all dogs. Systematic spaying and neutering of at least 1/3 of the dog population in the first year. Indiscriminate killing should definitely be abandoned. Systems should be adopted for tagging/identification of sterilized and immunized dogs. Clear guidelines be work out for rounding up dogs, sheltering them, deciding on whether they should be destroyed or sterilized or treated otherwise. Dog licensing and breeder licensing should be effectively enforced. Community awareness and mobilization programmes should be implemented using the media, schools and with the participation of Local Government Authorities and NGOs. Current Statutes and proposed Legislation such as the proposed Rabies Elimination Act and the Animal Welfare Act be complementary rather than contradictory. Budding veterinarian, Bristol University's final year student Vimukthi Kumaratunga: I am here today to lend my support to a cause I feel very strongly about. This is one of the issues related to animal welfare that I have been deeply concerned about for a long time. Therefore when I was contacted by the AWT I was very willing to contribute in any way I can to help promote this cause and lobby the relevant authorities to change their current policy of the "catch and kill" method to control the stray dog population. Several speakers have already ably elaborated on the myriad reasons why this policy is both inhumane and ineffective; I do not wish to repeat what has already been said. Much research and epidemiological study has been conducted internationally to deduce and gauge the efficacy of sterilization and vaccination policies in the control of stray dog populations and the reduction of rabies incidence. Enough evidence exists to prove beyond doubt that these policies are efficient, practical, sustainable and humane. We need only to look as far as our neighbours, countries such as India and Thailand, developing, tropical countries like ours, with similar traditions, peoples and systems of government to learn that this system can and will work. The government of Sri Lanka currently spends a massive Rs 300 million annually on human rabies treatment and vaccination - the single largest amount on medication for any disease. This for a disease that can be effectively controlled. We need to adopt the correct policy and an effective implementation arrangement to achieve this. We believe this is within our reach. A joint action plan must be formulated by the government in conjunction with the private sector and the NGO's. Without the active involvement and support of the veterinary profession these new policies will never truly be successful. We must therefore be mindful that in spite of the presence of some highly skilled and capable vets and a veterinary school, which has higher standards than those in many Asian countries, this overwhelmed and frustrated profession continues to be neglected and its importance overlooked. Public awareness, education and participation are vital. The public must also be educated on responsible pet ownership. If one indulges in the privilege of owning a pet, then one must bear the responsibilities that go with that privilege. The domestic pet population significantly contributes to the stray dog population in this country. It is therefore important that owners are encouraged to spay and neuter any pets not intended for breeding. This is now common and accepted practice in many countries throughout the world and carries numerous health benefits for the animals involved. This is only the 1st step improving the standards of animal welfare in Sri Lanka. Many other areas of both public health and animal welfare concern exist, including abattoir practices and meat hygiene, which need drastic modernization and modification. However it is a step in the right direction nonetheless. Mahathma Gandhi once said that one can judge how civilized and developed a nation is by the way its people treat their animals. Let us prove by our actions that we are indeed a civilized nation. |
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