What is Animal Control?

Take a read of WSPA's Dog Control Techniques and let's think about what exactly is ANIMAL CONTROL?

Animal control is not simply a matter of removing animals from the streets, but requires a comprehensive and proactive programme, ideally implemented by local governments of municipalities.

An effective programme will aim to encompass:

- animal welfare legislation
- humane capture & handling of animals
- efficient removal of public waste/garbage
- providing shelter suitable for the animals' needs
- providing veterinary care
- spaying/neutering programmes
- humane euthanasia of animals when necessary
- public education
- liaison between government authority and non-government organisation

Read in particular page 13 on Euthanasia:

* While euthanasia is an option, on its own it is ineffective. Simply catching and killing animals does not work as a stray control programme ... By neutering animals, populations can be stabilised and gradually reduced. Shooting and poisoning therefore have no place in an effective humane stray control programme.

* Strict criteria should be applied to animals considered for euthanasia: eg, very young puppies, sick animals, dangerous animals, animals unsuitable for rehoming or return to the streets.

The 2 dogs caught from the farm today do not fall into any of the categories above. But if no one claims them in the next few days, they WILL be destroyed.

And to claim them back, you need to pay compounded fees amounting to more than $200 for each dog.

Let's see if they are in the pound now. We'll update tomorrow.

http://www.wspa-international.org/publicfiles/Animal_control_officer.pdf