Stray-dog curse
Avanthi Jayasuriya’s opinion of ‘the increasing menace of stray dogs’ appearing in a local newspaper of February 8 is both factual and timely. Our club books the playground down Senanayake Mawatha, Nawala, from time to time. Four years ago there were just a dozen stray dogs occupying this tranquil playground and sleeping in its Pavilion. Last week we counted 43 stray dogs within the ground. A couple of times the stray dogs even challenged us baring their teeth at us. The playground was littered all over with dog poo and torn packets of rice and curry causing great inconvenience and a health hazard to us.
When we complained to the Ground Boy, he told us that he had complained to the Municipal Council but they have not taken any action. He further told us that there were over 75 stray dogs down in Nawala Senanayake Mawatha, comprising four or five packs.
These packs create havoc in the night fighting each other disturbing the entire neighbourhood. The residents have complained to him but he is helpless. To further investigate this menace we witnessed a garbage truck collecting garbage and the stray dogs fighting to get out some garbage bags. The result was horrifying, where garbage was strewn all over the roads making it impossible to walk on the road without trampling on it.
The garbage men kept cursing the stray dogs and cleaned some of it off the road; but the filth was smelling and flies were all over the place. We inquired from one resident of Senanayake Avenue, Nawala, how they coped with so many stray dogs. He said that they have complained to the Municipal Council, but they are not bothered. Apparently there was a couple of mad dogs roaming in the area a few months ago.
The stray dogs in this playground also sleep in a burnt out Amano Metal Shed with a large heap of garbage behind it, breeding mosquitoes.
We trust the Ministry of Public Health the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Kotte Municipal Council take immediate action to rid the public playground of this health hazard and menace.
Upul Manjula
Nawala
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