Domestic dogs –a primary cause for rabies

By Carol Aloysius

Ninety per cent of patients treated for rabies at hospitals countrywide were bitten by domestic dogs, Dr. P.L. Harischandra, Director, Public Health Veterinary Services told a news briefing in Colombo to mark World Rabies Day last Thursday.

He attributed the cause for allowing such animals to roam gardens and streets and added that at least 75 persons annually succumbed to rabies. ‘We request the owners to keep these animals in kennels or chained at their homes’ Dr. Harischandra urged.

Dog population in the country at present is estimated to be close to three million and the majority is stray dogs.

http://www.nation.lk/2011/12/04/news36.htm