richardhaydnxy: Disappearance of Community dogs in the South

By a responsible dog owner and Sri Lankan resident from Weligama.

I was brought up to believe that at Christmas more than any other time of year, we should care for those less fortunate than ourselves and spread messages of love and peace.? As an adult, I have come to recognise that respect for life, and doing no harm, are principles that hold true in any religion.??? Last week I witnessed something in Weligama, that has haunted me for the entire week.? At the police station in Weligama Modera, a cage no more than 4 or 5ft square washolding a large number of live dogs, at least 2 or 3 deep in some places.? As an animal lover, this caused me a lot of distress, but as a foreigner in this country I am hesitant to ?interfere?, in matters, that potentially don?t concern me.

As it happens, I have since recieved numerous reports through social networks and from personal friends, some of whom have been in tears on the phone, to tell me about dogs (many of which are owned by communities and have been sterilized and imnnoculated), being systemmatically rounded up and removed, (and potentially destroyed) in Matara, Mirissa and now Weligama.? Whilst I am loathe to quote ?heresay? I understand that sources indirectly involved with the ?round up? have been so upset that they have told others, but are too fearful to speak out.? We understand that the un-official line is to ?clean up? the tourist areas.

I was shocked to hear this as I am certain that these cruel practices were put an end to with the ?no kill? policy introduced by the current President.

I appeal to the parties with power, his Excellency the President, Local Government, the Public Health Ministries, in the strongest way possible, and on behalf of those cannot speak for themselves, to find those responsible and put an end to this senseless cruelty.

As a concerned citizen, I was recently privileged to sit in on an anti-rabies meeting at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in which the head of the WHO and many leading Government vets and CMC members gave their opinions about the issue of rabies in Sri Lanka.? I am somewhat informed, but welcome these individuals to raise their voices, if my perceptions are in any way erroneous.? I understand that rabies is largely eliminated from Sri Lanka, and that proper dog-population management strategies have contributed significantly to this current state.? I also learned that removal of dogs from an area is an erroneous strategy, and a very temporary solution as it simply encourages more strays to take their place (and dogs which are not vaccinated or sterilised as many of these dogs are).

Furthermore, if I received these reports through social media, you can be certain that many potential visitors will also be made aware of these cruel practices, through the same network.? Many tourists are big time animal lovers, and will avoid coming here when they learn about these practices. There was a story only last year where a massive social network campaign around the shooting of stray dogs in Honduras evoked huge international outcry.

I cannot say categorically, that I know the truth behind the stories.? I can only tell you what I saw with my own eyes and the first-hand stories I have heard from others.? I do declare a vested interest as my own 5 dogs in Weligama could potentially become victims, should they inadvertantly stray onto the road.? I also love Sri Lanka and would hate for tourists to get the impression that Sri Lanka is a nation of cruel animal-haters.? Please stop!? Please work towards much more effective long-term solutions, and give these poor srilankan 4-legged citizens a chance of life this Christmas.