The Sri Lankan government intends on implementing a policy to control the so-called stray dog "menace" as referred to by Sri Lankan minister Faiszer Musthapha who has since apologised for referring to the situation as such. He recently specified that the policy does not involve "killing" the stray dogs but says little else about what they intend actually doing to control the perceived "issue". 

Here's what the government isn't telling you:

1. The claim by Mr. Musthapha that the number of street dogs is "500,000" is false. No one knows which hat this statistic was pulled out of. There is no evidence to suggest that the amount of street dogs is anywhere close to this number

2. Local animal welfare organisations such as Embark and Dog Star Foundation have been involved in the rehabilitation, vaccination and sterilisation of dogs on the streets of Colombo funded privately over the years thus helping curb the threat of rabies and controlling the population. 

3. MOST street dogs tend to be socialised and don't attack unless provoked or threatened in some way. Speak to anyone actively involved in the rescue and treatment of street dogs regarding how often they have been "bitten" and "attacked". It will speak for itself

4. Considering most street dogs have been vaccinated and sterilised, any new unvaccinated and unsterilised dogs are litters dumped onto the street by people. Remedies to this issue include the government educating those responsible for "dumping litters" or even financially penalising them along with supporting existing local animal welfare organisations that struggle to carry out the work they do.

5. Community dogs provide security to neighbourhoods from new feral dogs along with assisting in curbing the urban rat population.

6. Placing dogs into mass shelters is NOT a responsible solution as dogs are territorial pack animals and will attack each other. With a large number of dogs put into a single compound, with no proper veterinary control, outbreak of disease is likely, causing severe negative consequences in surrounding communities.

7. Despite what they might claim on media, the government does NOT have proper resources or mechanisms to run proper animal shelters. The last time the previous regime rounded up dogs into a 'sanctuary' in Anuradhapura, the animals were left to starve and die horrible deaths.

8. Registering and vaccinating a dog costs a minimal sum of money. It is NOT an expensive or inconvenient process.

9. The demand for and over breeding of pedigree dogs by backyard breeders and puppy mills in Sri Lanka is one of the prime reasons finding stray pups and dogs homes is so difficult.

10. Responsible dog ownership is key. If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is given the necessary vaccinations and if you do not wish to have a litter, you must spay or neuter your pet. Those who are unaware of how to responsibly take care of a pet, must be given the education needed on how to do so, as that is where the root of the problem lies.

The only acceptable and HUMANE way for the government to control the dog population and minimise the risk of rabies is by working closely with the local animal welfare organisations that actually have a proper insight and understanding on the matter. This way we can ensure that dogs are treated humanely and that local welfare organizations are given the necessary infrastructure to work hand in hand with the government to effectively address this issue. Collaborative effort between private entities and the government is the best way forward.

A huge thank you to Shanuki De Alwis for her significant contribution to this: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156816765320526&id=590975525

Also, a thank you to Anisha Niyas and everyone else who contributed in drafting this

Please sign this petition and insist that Mr. Musthapha work together with local welfare organizations, and come up with a collaborative set of policies that can be implemented to combat this issue once and for all.