Public urged to stop feeding stray dogs as Rabies Elimination Plan targets 2030

Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Dr. Sanjika Perera, has called on the public to take responsibility for stray dogs, warning that feeding them without care worsens the rabies threat. “Those who love dogs should not feed street dogs. If they do so, they must also take responsibility for those dogs,” Dr. Perera said, stressing that rabies must be eradicated at the animal level to protect communities. He announced that a national plan is underway to eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka by 2030, with the Department working alongside international organizations. The initiative was highlighted at a four‑day workshop held in Katunayake. Rabies control in Sri Lanka dates back to 1973, when the programme was launched amid 360 deaths annually. Over the decades, fatalities have dropped to 14 per year, largely due to hospital vaccination programmes. “Even 14 deaths is a significant number because dog bites occur so frequently,” Dr. Perera said. “Vaccination provided at hospitals saves lives, which is a positive outcome. However, it also places a heavy financial burden on the government. The long-term solution is to eliminate rabies in the dog population. Doing so would also reduce that burden on the government.” The Director General emphasized that controlling rabies through dogs is the only way to fully end the disease and relieve the state of its heavy cost burden. (Newswire)