Stray dogs removed from Colombo City

29 October 2013 11:50 am Views - 10691

Animal rights activists expressed concern over the manner in which stray dogs were being removed from Colombo to make the City presentable for next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Animals Rights Activist and Animal Protection Trust Secretary Sharmini Ratnayake said that at a September 5 meeting attended by Colombo Municipality officials, several Veterinary surgeons, Western Provincial Council Officials and Animals Rights Groups, it was decided to relocate stray dogs in a humane manner. It was also decided to bring back the animals to their former habitats after the CHOGM was concluded.

“However, the officials have failed to keep any of the promises they gave us. We were assured that we will be informed prior to the dogs being taken away from their habitats but instead, the operation was started in an abrupt manner about two weeks ago without being told about,” she said.

Ms. Ratnayake said at the meeting we had been told that kennels would be built at the Dematagoda slaughter house which is presently not in use and that the animals would be properly fed.

“No kennels have been built at the slaughterhouse and the dogs have been dumped at the dog pound as usual where they are being traumatised and ill-fed,” she said. (Lakna Paranamanna)