It’s the CMC’s responsibility to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs

Media reports are again raising alarm about the increasing number of stray dogs on the roads. The estimated numbers vary wildly, and it is also claimed that many of them haven’t been vaccinated against rabies, which is the responsibility of the Colombo Municipality’s veterinary sections. This letter is not written from the viewpoint of a dog lover or animal rights activist. It is written by a citizen who believes that dogs need to co-exist with humans in cities and towns, and authorities should do their duty by protecting these creatures. I live in Colombo 08 which has a CMC veterinary section, and have noted its increasing lethargy in carrying out anti-rabies duties and sterilisation operations. Until the pandemic, there were two vets and sterilisations were carried out daily. Later, there was only one vet, and operations were limited to certain dates. 

The procedure has now become impossibly bureaucratic. Anyone who takes a dog there has to fill a form giving name and address. People can’t be expected to catch stray dogs and carry them there, and give information on paper that would make them owners of those dogs. Often, people complain that the staff tells them to catch and bring the dogs. 

But the CMC has paid staff to do this, equipped with nets and given transport. Staff complain they are short of nets. If so, the CMC should look into that. It has a massive budget and should be able to buy extra nets. The problem is not of equipment but of attitude and morale. No wonder the stray dog population is increasing. Many owners are now abandoning their pets. This puts tremendous pressure on the handful of organisations and helpful individuals who try to feed and care for these dogs, which are usually very docile animals and pose no threat to people. On the contrary, they get harassed and abused by dog haters, and are killed or maimed by speeding vehicles. In addition, there are two municipal markets in  Borella town and both have a proliferating cat population. The CMC should hold regular clinics and make sure all those cats are sterilised and given anti-rabies. 

Colombo Citizen