AWC urges PM Modi to prevent stray dog removal in Anuradhapura

The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) of Sri Lanka has reached out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to intervene in the planned removal of roaming dogs in Anuradhapura ahead of his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka on April 5, 2025.

 

In an official letter addressed to the Indian leader, the AWC, a group comprising veterinary professionals and animal advocates, expressed deep concern over reports that the Anuradhapura Municipal Council (MC) is considering removing all roaming dogs from the area due to Modi’s visit.

 

The Coalition emphasized that such action would severely undermine the ongoing Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release (CNVR) program, a proven method of dog population management that has been implemented in the region since 2020. This initiative, aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, is seen as crucial for sustainable rabies eradication in Sri Lanka.

 

AWC further noted that India has been a leader in CNVR programs in Southeast Asia and that public tolerance toward roaming, CNVR-treated dogs is high in India. Given Modi’s known stance on animal welfare, the Coalition assumes that his office has not requested any such removal of stray dogs in Anuradhapura.

 

“Removing them, even temporarily, will irrevocably jeopardize this project of immense public health value, conducted at a significant cost to us,” the letter stated, appealing to Modi’s commitment to humane and science-backed animal welfare policies.