Stray dogs vaccinated, sterilised in Ja-Ela

Close to 300 stray dogs that roamed the streets within the city limits of the Ja-Ela Urban Council area were given injections for rabies and were sterilised during a health campaign held last week.

“The camp was held at 14 centres covering all 10 wards in the Urban Council area,” Ja-Ela Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deepa Perera said.

The programme was launched with the patronage of Public Health Inspector Anura Abeyratne of Ja-Ela Urban Council last week within the wards of St Maris Place, Suduwella, Thudella, Kanuwana, Weligampitiya, Kapuwatta and Kal Eliya. These areas belong to the Divisional Medical Officer of Health in Ja-Ela.

Dr Deepa Perera said the Chairman of the Urban Council in Ja-Ela Shammika Dias and the Chairman of Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Saba Chandrapala Madurapperuma together with Rabies Controlling Unit of the Office of Deputy Director of Health Services in Gampaha assisted to make the health camp a success.

PHI Anura Abeyratne of Ja-Ela Urban Council said that one victim, a father of one and a resident of Kal-Eliya, Ja-Ela died after being bitten by a stray dog.

“People including school children who are travelling on these roads have faced many inconveniences due to these stray dogs living in the city limits of Ja-Ela Urban Council areas,” he said.

Many groups of people took part in the health camp along with their pet dogs to obtain the injection for rabies.