CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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Rise in dog bites linked to growing population, lack of awareness: Health Official
Colombo, July 3 (Daily Mirror) - The increase in dog bites in the country is largely due to the growing canine population and a lack of public understanding, education and awareness about how people should behave around animals, Public Health Veterinary Services Director Dr. N.M.N. Darshanie Dissanayake said.
Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Dissanayake explained that since 2000, the Health Ministry has implemented a programme to eradicate rabies and control the dog population.
She noted that, according to the Rabies Ordinance, authorities were once permitted to seize or euthanize stray and diseased dogs. While the Health Ministry plays a key role in preventing rabies in human, the responsibility for animal rabies control including sterilization and vaccination programmes falls under the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH).
However, from 2000 to 2006, the practice of dog seizures was suspended as a matter of government policy. In its place, the Health Ministry introduced sterilization and vaccination programmes to manage the dog population. At one stage, an attempt was made to use the Depo-Provera injection to control animal reproduction, but this initiative was later discontinued.
At present, the Health Ministry sterilizes about 33,000 dogs each year. However, Dr. Dissanayake said this number should be increased to at least 100,000 a year to properly control the dog population. She stressed that this work should be done in an organised way, starting from the community level.
She also highlighted the importance of proper garbage disposal as a measure to control stray dog numbers, pointing out that leaving garbage on roadsides contributes to the problem.
Dr. Dissanayake called for increased public awareness and education on animal behaviour, especially among children. She said it is vital for people to learn how to prevent dog bites and understand the reasons why dogs may bite. In this regard, she urged the active involvement of the Education Ministry in awareness and educational programmes on animal safety.
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