No Kill Policy on dogs to continue
COLOMBO:President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that his
order to stop the killing of the dogs for the control of dog population
and rabies eradication should be continued further.
The Minister for Local Government and Provincial Councils was
informed by the President shortly before Poson Full Moon last month that
the No-Kill policy introduced by him to mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi
celebrations last year should be continued, and that humane methods such
a sterilisation and immunisation of dogs should be used more extensively
for the eradication of rabies and dog population control.
The President gave this directive when he was apprised of the latest
situation regarding the implementation of the No Kill policy by Sathva
Mithra Friends of Animals.
It has been brought to the notice of the President that after Cabinet
approval was obtained for a new Rabies Act, arrangements were being made
by some local authorities and public health institutions to resume the
killing of dogs for rabies eradication and the control of dog
population.
President Rajapaksa has also informed the Ministry of Local
Government and Provincial Councils that no licence fees should be levied
in the rural areas for the registration of dogs, and also that in no
instance should the non-registered dogs be killed.
The No-Kill policy on dogs was introduced by Presidential directive
in May last year in keeping with the President’s commitment to the
eradication of cruelty to animals, and following policy statement in the
Mahinda Chinthana. I consider cruelty to animals a disgrace on humanity.
I therefore propose to amend, without delay, the outdated laws on
prevention of cruelty to animals.
Until the killing of dogs by local authorities was stopped by
Presidential Directive last year, dogs were killed under the Rabies
Ordinance introduced by the British colonial rulers more than 100 years
ago.
In keeping with the directive to continue with the No-Kill Policy,
the
Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils is expected to
expand work on the sterilisation and immunisation of dogs. It will also
obtain the participation of animal welfare organisations, religious
organizations and the private sector in carrying out this work.
(PRIU) |