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CMC on city-wide hunt for strays as summit nears
View(s):The Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) Veterinary Dept is on a city-wide search of stray dogs, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).With just two dog catchers, the Vet Dept is looking for about 300 dogs in the vicinity of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, Town Hall and nearby Colombo hotels.
The dog pound: One too many. Pic by Indika Handuwala
The Municipal Dog Pound (MDP) that can hold about 50 dogs is overcrowded. By Friday, the MDP had around 75 strays, and due to overcrowding, they were to be moved to another premises coming under the CMC, where several spacious cages have been built to house strays during CHOGM.
“There are about 3,000 stray dogs in the city, and we are only focusing on removing stray dogs from areas where VIP travel will take place, mainly due to safety concerns. “Even during rehearsals, when VIP vehicles travelled at high speed, there were instances when stray dogs and cattle ran onto Baseline Road,” said CMC’s Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr Vipula Dharmawardena.
Citing another reason for the removal of stray dogs, Dr. Dharmawardena said they have been informed that foreign delegates will go sightseeing along Galle Face Green and visit other places in Colombo, such as the Gangaramaya Temple and the Town Hall.
He said there have been three positive rabies cases in Colombo this year, with one case reported near the BMICH area.
“We have removed almost all the stray dogs from the Viharamahadevi Park and along the streets of Colombo. But it is no easy task. Nights and early mornings are the best time to catch them,” he said.
The Chief Veterinary Surgeon said the dogs will be provided with collars, sterilized and vaccinated. “They will be brought back once CHOGM is over. Until then, we need more support to feed the dogs and keep them well,” he said. Cattle owners in Colombo and suburbs are also requested not to allow their animals enter roads and surrounding areas where VIPs will be travelling.
An animal rights activist has volunteered to regularly visit the area where the dogs are being held while another private organisation interested in the welfare of stray dogs is providing food. However, many animal rights activists have voiced concern over the rounding up of stray dog in th runuo the runup to CHOGM.