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Sterilize the dog, don't kill

Animal rights activists promote more humane methods to control the stray dog population and arrest rabies

By Marisa de Silva
Do you know that more than 100,000 dogs are killed annually in our country, through the use of gas, kerosene fumes, cyanide or strychnine poisoning? The latter two methods result in an extremely painful death for the animal and have raised a storm of protests. But officials have maintained that killing stray dogs is the only way to curb their numbers and arrest the spread of rabies which is mainly transmitted to humans from dogs.

With the aim of eradicating rabies using humane dog-control methods through a five-year action plan, several local and foreign non-governmental and government organisations carried out a weeklong programme from April 22-30. They focused on building awareness and educating all involved in this multi-pronged approach that will eventually reduce the rate of dog killings, if not put an end to it, once and for all. Here early neutering, a new technique of sterilizing dogs between the ages of 3-5 months (provided they are in good health) and an annual vaccination programme are being promoted as ways to control the problem in a humane manner.

Last year, vaccination and sterilization programmes saw the rate of killings drop to about 80,000. A drop in the number of people infected with rabies was also seen, proving that a decrease in killings does not result in an increase in the transmission of rabies.

Animal rights activists are now calling on the public to be patient and tolerant of the strays in their area and give this programme a chance to succeed. They also urge residents not to complain to the local council to do something about the stray dog problem, as such petitions would put a lot of pressure on the council to take action.

Being environmentally conscious and not littering your neighbourhood too can reduce the rate of breeding. If there's no garbage and food in a particular area, then the chances are that the dogs will not be able to procreate due to a lack of sustenance. So, by keeping the environment clean, you can keep the number of dogs in your area relatively under control.

The programme is implemented area by area. Dogs in one particular area are caught, sterilized and vaccinated.

A collar or ear tattoo is placed on them (for identification) and they are then released back into the same area.

If this programme is implemented properly, dogs that have been neutred, sticking to their territorial instincts, will ward off strange dogs from the area, ensuring the safety of the residents.

This plan is far more effective and efficient than killing 50 dogs from the same area every six months.

Dog lovers are also advised to sterilize their pets, male or female, if they don't want them breeding.

Male animals too should be sterilized because, even when they're let out for a short while, they have the chance of impregnating stray female dogs.

Killing of strays cannot be eliminated overnight. However, the more people support more humane methods, the quicker the results will be. At present, trained vets are volunteering to perform sterilization surgery but since material and surgical instruments are costly, the programme needs to be sponsored. That's where the public can step in. If it's going to benefit the community, then it is upto everyone to help.

The story of 30 strays

Health Services Director Dr. P.A.L. Harischandra and his team collected 30 dogs that lived on the premises of the United Motors service station at Orugodawatte and had them sterilized at Dr. Nalinika Obeyesekere's Pet Vet Clinic, as part of a model project.

Dr. Obeyesekere, trustee of the Blue Paw animal welfare organisation, and Dr. Harischandra’s team released the dogs back to the same premises after they were vaccinated against rabies and tagged.

United Motors bore the cost of the sterilization and provided post-surgery care, shelter and food for the animals.

Vets will make post-surgery visits to the site to make sure that the dogs are in good health. Annual vaccinations will be carried out free of charge by the municipality.

The success of projects like these depends mostly on the positive response from the public, the private sector and the business community. Those interested in this worthy community project are requested to contact Nedra Wijerathna on 0777-748795.

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