Many Freetonians have been calling on authorities to rid the city of stray dogs. The Freetown City Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation were responsible to handle stray dogs, who were picked up by council workers.
Quinton John is a retired civil servant. He fumed, “This is not the Freetown I grew up in. It is an eye sore to see both pedestrians and dogs, competing with vehicular traffic in almost all major roads and streets. Apart from the huge numbers around, the animals mess up the roads as well as footpaths. They are animals and have to be domesticated and controlled, but if some people can’t care for their pets, let them don’t have them.”
The Sierra Leone Animal Welfare Society, provide veterinary services and public education on responsible pet ownership and rabies. Roland Buck, a veterinary officer with several years of experience noted, both street and home dogs are entitled to free rabies vaccines, a rather expensive vaccine, and not always in huge supply. He added that most of the street dogs, because of lack of care and have to fend for themselves to survive the streets. Strays can be found scavenging in public dumps sites and gutters. and are risk to the public. Buck added, “In the case where a fight between two or more dogs begins at a dump site, and an innocent child is around. He or she could fall victim to dog a bite. Who is going to claim responsibility to ensure the child receives immediate vaccination?”
“One solution is to sterilize female strays and reduce the stray dog population,” said Buck.
Buck added that the issue of strays, both cats and dogs should be cared for in a clean and proper environment, and its owner/s are to be responsible and ensure the pet receives all necessary medication and treatment needed from a certified veterinary officer, regularly.
AC/12/6/18
By Ade Campbell
Monday June 18, 2018.
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