Sri Lanka leads world in humane dog management

Colombo, July 17 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has become the first country in the world to complete LEAP Dog (Logical Evaluation and Action Plan for Dogs), a new international programme that helps countries develop humane and science-based plans to manage dog populations.

The four-day workshop, held in Negombo from July 13 to 16, brought together veterinarians, government officials, local authorities and community groups to prepare a national action plan for Sri Lanka's estimated 2.5 million dogs.

The draft plan will now be submitted to the Government for consideration. It includes measures such as sterilisation, rabies vaccination, improved veterinary services, stronger laws and greater public awareness to promote safe and humane human-dog coexistence.

The LEAP Dog programme was developed by the International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) with funding from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The Sri Lanka workshop was supported by Mars Petcare.

ICAM Director Dr. Elly Hiby said the plan was created by Sri Lankan experts and marks a positive step for both people and dogs.

Battersea's Director of Global Programmes, Roxanne Nazir, said the initiative supports the Government's Clean Sri Lanka programme by encouraging cleaner and more compassionate public spaces.

ICAM said it will provide technical support and mentoring for the next 12 months to help implement the plan if it is adopted by the Government.