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Dog Poisoning in
Sri Lanka Halted - For Now!
A puppy being vaccinated against rabies
in an HSI sponsored program. (photo HSI)
18 January 2005
As was reported in several newspapers around the world, the Sir Lankan government was in the process of initiating a dog poisoning program to curb the spread of rabies on the tsunami ravaged island. HSI's Sri Lanka representative, Robert Blumberg and others have intervened and convinced the central government to hold off long enough to see if the HSI sponsored rabies vaccination program can cure the program.
HSI is supplying veterinarians, medicines and supplies to vaccinate as many dogs and cats as fast as possible. Thus far almost 4,000 animals have been vaccinated. Most of the vaccinations are taking place in the refugee camps where conditions are crowded for both people and animals. The camps are a prime breading ground for the spread of rabies.
While temporarily halted, we are not entirely "out-of-the-woods". There are almost 100,000 dogs in the region and an outbreak of rabies would most likely cause a re-instatement of the government's poisoning program. It's a race against time. Further, in a recent update, the Minister has said that the issue is a local decision. The area of most concern is Arugam Bay, which in on the east coast of Sri Lanka, where it is reported that there are 500 dogs.
HSI is working with WSPA and Pet V Care, a local animal welfare group that has fielded 14 veterinarians and three mobile vans to support the program. Other supporters of the program include Animal People and Best Friends Animal Society.
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