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Local Government Authorities directed to vaccinate dogs instead of killing [Tuesday , June 13, 2006- 11.30 GMT]All Local Government Authorities have been asked to immediately start implementing alternate means such as vaccination of dogs against rabies and sterilization to control dog population, in place of the practice of killing dogs for rabies control. The Minister of Provincial Councils & Local Government, Janaka Bandara Tennekoon, has addressed a letter to all Mayors, Chairpersons of Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas calling for this programme of action to be initiated, in keeping with the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace the current “seize and kill’ policy on dogs, with a modern, scientific and humane policy for rabies eradication and dog population control. The alternate policies stated are those recommended by WHO, which are the mass vaccination of dogs against rabies and the sterilization of dogs to control dog population growth. The “seize and kill” policy followed so far dates back to the Rabies Ordinance first introduced by the British in 1893. Many countries, including those in other parts of Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe have now adopted the new policies of mass vaccination and sterilization of dogs to eradicate rabies. Minister Tennekoon has asked the local authorities to use the funds already allocated for seizing and killing of dogs to initiate the new programmes for a humane method of rabies eradication. His letter states that the President’s directive has been given in keeping with the policies for the eradication of rabies and against cruelty to animals stated in the Mahinda Chintana. He also informs all local authorities that steps are already being taken by his Ministry to amend the relevant legislation bringing it in keeping with the Mahinda Chintana, which seeks modern, scientific and humane methods for rabies eradication, and is against cruelty to animals.
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