The Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha has launched a programme to microchip street dogs to maintain accurate records and help monitor their health and the areas they frequent.
The initiative will enable local authorities to identify individual dogs and access their health records through a database.
In cases involving dog bites or other emergencies, the records are expected to help authorities establish whether the animal concerned has received its rabies vaccinations. The database will also record information on the areas where each dog is commonly found.
Growing street dog populations have raised concerns among residents and tourists in several parts of the country, including the popular tourist destination of Galle. However, collecting accurate information and maintaining systematic records of these animals have remained challenges for local authorities.
The Homagama programme is expected to help address these gaps through individual identification and organised record-keeping.
Meanwhile, a separate dog registration and vaccination programme aimed at eliminating rabies was recently held at the Hatton–Dickoya Urban Council hall.
