New Bill Proposed to Strengthen Rabies Control and Dog Registration in Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has taken steps to introduce a new bill aimed at strengthening rabies control and the registration of dogs across Sri Lanka.

The proposed legislation has been published in the Gazette and seeks to regulate dog vaccination, population control and the commercial breeding of dogs.

Under the bill, every local government authority would be required to ensure that all dogs within its administrative area are vaccinated against rabies and registered annually.

The legislation states that owners or custodians of dogs over six weeks of age must have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and registered with the relevant local government authority each year.

Following vaccination and the issuance of a vaccination certificate, the dog must be registered upon payment of the prescribed fee. A registration certificate would then be issued by the relevant local authority.

The bill also proposes a fine of Rs. 2,000, in addition to the registration fee, for failing to register a dog.

Meanwhile, local government authorities would be required to take measures to sterilise or neuter stray dogs within their respective jurisdictions as part of efforts to control the stray dog population.

The proposed legislation also makes it mandatory to obtain a licence to operate a dog breeding centre. The sale of puppies by individuals or establishments without a valid breeding licence would be prohibited under the bill.

The proposed measures are aimed at improving rabies prevention, controlling the dog population and regulating commercial dog breeding activities.