Yangon comes up with a more humane solution to stray dog problem

The thousands of stray dogs that roam Yangon’s streets have long faced death at the end of a juicy meal as authorities have laid out poisoned meat in an attempt to cull the population and halt the spread of rabies.

Now, after the policy failed to do anything but get animal rights activists and warm-hearted city residents foaming at the mouth, the city has decided to try neutering instead.

Dogs will be spayed rather than poisoned unless they look like they’ve definitely got rabies or other communicable diseases, the Irrawaddy reported on Tuesday.

Because, according to Dr Aye Min of the Yangon City Development Committee, which acted in response to feedback from residents: “Dog lovers prefer neutering to killing.”

Some 20 per cent of the canine population will be sterilised at first, but the city is looking for help from animal lovers to help administer the operations and look after the dogs, he added.

Photo: Coconuts Media

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