It is reported that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice, and Civil Protection has granted approval for the ‘Rabies Eradication and Dog Registration Bill,’ subject to amendments to certain clauses.
The Committee, which met in Parliament on the 20th under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, held an extensive discussion regarding the provisions of the Bill and the proposed amendments.
The primary objective of this Bill is to eradicate rabies from the country through measures such as vaccinating dogs against rabies, controlling the dog population, and regulating the breeding of dogs for commercial purposes.
Furthermore, the Bill includes provisions for formalizing the registration of dogs, establishing national and regional advisory committees for rabies eradication, and introducing a new legal framework to replace the existing Rabies Ordinance and the Dog Registration Ordinance. During the discussion on the Bill, attention was also drawn to the need to resolve inconsistencies regarding the age at which dogs should receive their first anti-rabies vaccination.
Discussions also addressed the need to clarify legal provisions to ensure that individuals who voluntarily provide food, shelter, or medical assistance to stray dogs are not deemed the legal owners of those dogs, nor held liable for the full range of responsibilities incumbent upon an owner.
Furthermore, the importance of performing dog sterilization surgically under veterinary supervision was discussed, as were concerns regarding alternative methods—such as hormonal injections—with a focus on ensuring animal welfare.
Additionally, attention was directed toward streamlining the dog registration process, revising the fines imposed for failing to comply with registration requirements, and strengthening the regulation of commercial breeding centers.