Around 30% of road accidents in Sri Lanka are caused by dogs, while approximately Rs 1 billion is spent annually on rabies vaccinations for people bitten by dogs, according to the founder of the Association of Veterinarians for the Humane Management of the Animal Population, Dr Chamith Nanayakkara.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Dr Nanayakkara said the growing population of stray dogs was having a significant impact on the country’s economy.

He attributed the increase in stray animals to irresponsible human behaviour and a lack of awareness about social responsibility, while noting that improper waste management also contributed to the problem by providing stray animals with easy access to food.

Dr Nanayakkara said proposed new legislation on animal population management could provide a long-term solution to the issue.

Under the proposed legislation, all dogs with owners would be required to be registered with the relevant Local Authority, while responsibility for stray dogs with neither owners nor caregivers would be assigned to the respective Local Authorities.

He said the Government would consequently be responsible for vaccinating and sterilising such animals, ensuring that dogs living on the streets would not be left without care.

“For dogs living on the streets, where there is neither an owner nor anyone to care for them, the Local Authority must take responsibility. This is clearly addressed in the proposed legislation,” he said.

He described the proposed system as a positive approach to addressing the country’s stray dog problem and said it would ensure that no stray dog was left abandoned.

“On the one hand, around Rs 1 billion is spent every year on rabies vaccinations following dog bites. That is public money. On the other hand, around 30% of road accidents are caused by dogs. We need to consider how significantly this affects the country’s economy,” he said.

Questioning whether dogs living on the streets could be blamed for their situation, Dr Nanayakkara said: “These animals are not on the streets by choice. They are there because of people’s irresponsible actions and a lack of understanding of social responsibility.”