At a meeting held on the 22nd October 2009, to discuss the status of the National Rabies Control Programme, it has been decided to stop neutering of male dogs with effect from 1st November 2009. It is with much disappointment that we note this sudden decision at this time, with just two months remaining in the year.

As such we decided to explain the scientific importance of neutering male dogs.

With a view of eradicating rabies from Sri Lanka, the present methodology used through this programme of neutering dogs and controlling the dog population will undoubtedly have measurable long term effects, which can be quantified in 3 to 4 years. The reason for this is that until the dogs that have been neutered die there is no decrease in dog population, but in districts where this programme has been successfully implemented there is a significant decline of puppies in the area.

It is also important to note that just as much as there will undoubtedly be long term effects, there are short term advantages as well. Following are some instances of dog bites to humans:

1. Many children and even adults are bitten whilst playing with puppies.
2. Female dogs are most likely to bite when they are close to the time of litter, and also whilst they take care of the new born puppies and resent any human contact with the pups.
3. When female dogs are sterilized both instances mentioned above do not occur.
4. Dogs engage in sexual activity twice a year and are seen in herds during this time. Hormonal activity increases when dogs are in heat and incidents of male dog bites increases, as male dogs are easily agitated and angered. Most households have male dogs and are prone to cage dogs when the dog is in heat. This creates frustration and anger in the dog and owners and neghbours are bitten by these male dogs.
5. Therefore neutering of owned male dogs is a successful method of reducing dog bites, which have notable short term results.
6. When only female dogs are sterilized, all male dogs will compete to satisfy their sexual needs with a limited number of unsterilized female dogs. Since most of the male dogs will not get a chance to fulfill their needs, this will also result in frustration in the unsatisfied male dogs, which in turn will increase the number of male dog bites.
7. All dog lovers will not endorse the fact that unsterilized female dogs will have to face and constantly be hounded to satisfy agitated and demanding male dogs that have not been neutered.
8. It is also important to note that before this humane method of controlling the dog population was implemented, dogs were killed in the thousands without any consideration if they were male or female. It was therefore the objective of the Hon. Minister of Health to ensure that dogs be neutered in the thousands and not be killed in such large numbers. When dogs were killed without any consideration given to their gender, deciding to do so only in this case of neutering is baseless.
9. Male and Female dogs are sterilized according to the same surgical procedure. Therefore the quantity of medication used does not depend on the gender but on the age, weight, and medical condition of the dog. Post surgical drugs are also used according to the same criteria and not according to the gender.
10. The only difference between the sterilization of a male and female dog is that the surgical procedure takes longer in a female dog compared to that of a male dog. The difference in cost between the two is less than Rs. 10/-

When all of the above are taken in to consideration it is vital to note that short term benefits are arrived at by neutering both female and male dogs. As such it is our view that decisions such as these that will undoubtedly jeopardize this very successful programme being implemented at present should not be taken by officials of the Health Ministry who also have our collective vision of eradicating rabies from our country. Eradicating rabies not only saves valuable human and animal lives but also saves huge amounts of funds that are drained out from Sri Lanka to foreign countries. Restricting the outflow of funds is important for a developing country such as ours.

Therefore we patriotic citizens of Sri Lanka pledge to protect this programme and not let it come to a stand still because of hasty decisions taken by a few who have ulterior motives.