Chairman of the Dickwella Pradeshiya Sabha, Ruwan Wickramarachchi, has announced a comprehensive programme aimed at eradicating rabies and managing the stray dog population within the Dickwella area.

Wickramarachchi, who is also a veterinary surgeon, outlined the initiative in a statement on his Facebook page. He emphasised that rabies prevention requires action on two fronts: managing owned dogs and addressing the stray dog population.

According to him, the programme will include sterilisation of all domesticated dogs, administration of rabies vaccines, and the introduction of a pet ownership card system. Dog owners will also be required to microchip their pets for proper identification.

To reduce the number of puppies being abandoned on streets, Wickramarachchi said the PS plans to establish a Dog Care Centre. The facility will provide food, medical care, sterilisation, and rabies vaccination for stray puppies, before extending services to street dogs that cause disturbances in public spaces. However, harmless stray dogs will not be removed from their usual locations but will still receive vaccinations and sterilisation.

He added that in the future, only licensed breeding centres will be permitted to supply puppies, while the Dog Care Centre itself will also provide puppies for adoption. Animal lovers and community members will be given the opportunity to contribute by donating food and medicine for the shelter animals.

Wickramarachchi expressed confidence that rabies could be eliminated from Dickwella within a few years through the initiative, and voiced hope that the programme could eventually be expanded across the entire country.