Labasa Town Council rejects poisoning of stray dogs
‘Poisoning them is cruel and it doesn’t solve the problem’
From last year we have been working together with the Ministry of Agriculture under a programme to decrease the number of stray dogs. They are desexed and later released. Doreen Robinson Labasa Town Council administrator
Labasa Town Council administrator Doreen Robinson has confirmed that the council does not give or put poisons on the streets to eliminate stray dogs.
She made the comment after some residents spread rumours that the council threw poison on the street to kill stray dogs.
“Stray dogs are still an issue we are dealing with, but absolutely we are not giving them poison to solve the problem,” Ms Robinson said.
“From last year we have been working together with the Ministry of Agriculture under a programme to decrease the number of stray dogs.”
She said the council trapped stray dogs and took them to the agriculture office.
“They are desexed and later released,” Ms Robinson said.
“As part of the animal welfare organisation, which endorsed this programme, what happens is that over a period of time the dog population decreases.
“Poisoning them is cruel and it doesn’t solve the problem.”
She said there were still animals that breed without any ownership
“This is a long term programme which we have embarked on and are continuing,” Ms Robinson said.
“It will take a while, but it has worked in other countries.
“Poisoning dogs is totally unacceptable and we urge people to stop spreading rumours.”
Her message to pet owners is to look after their pets well and make sure they are not roaming around outside their property without supervision.