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It was all too clear by the tremendous number
of leg injuries that road traffic accidents are all too
common. In the wake of the devastation caused by the Tsunami
the Sri Lankan government, quite rightly, has had to prioritise
the health and safety of their citizens over any concerns
with the rising stray dog population. However with the increase
of human rabies cases rising to 73 in 2006 it may well be
that canine population control together with compulsory
vaccination may be in the interests of both humans and their
"best friend".
This year our own RSPCA has sought to raise
pet ownership to a new level in this country with the introduction
of a new Animal Welfare Act which came into force in March.
This means that every pet owner in the UK is legally obliged
to take responsibility for the health and welfare of their
own pet, with the failure to do so a criminal offence.
I like to think that the vast majority of
our clients at Fairfield have already embraced this concept
without the need for legal enforcement! At the same time
in Sri Lanka, local canine charity KACPAW is striving to
avoid further stray dog "eradication" policy by
spay and vaccination programmes subsidised by donations.
Despite feeling "swamped" on my
return to work it is nonetheless gratifying to know that
the pets registered at my practice are generally owned by
people quite prepared to insist on good health care rather
than being told they should!
Terry
Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
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