Stop Mass Slaughter of 3 Million Stray Dogs

We the undersigned urge you to stop the proposed killing of 3 million stray dogs in Sri Lanka. 

According to news reports, your government has decided to lift its 5-year moratorium on the destruction of these animals due to the increase in the number of stray-dog attacks on humans.  While appreciating the past moratorium and mindful of the health dangers posed to people by dog attacks, we wish to bring to your attention concerns raised by Sri Lankan animal rights activists that the sterilization program  and other procedures to control the country’s stray dog population were not properly implemented.  

We urge Your Excellency to continue the moratorium while ensuring the strict enforcement of sterilization and vaccination programs and seeking alternatives such as adoption programs and working with animal rights groups.    

As a Buddhist country with a long tradition of animal protection laws and other compassionate policies, Sri Lanka has the potential for solving this problem without resorting to the destruction of these helpless animals.  

Thank you for taking the time to review this request.