Pounds need to capture and re-home friendly dogs while aggressive, and sick dogs need to be put to sleep using euthanasia – Fiji Cabbies

The Fiji Cabbies Association General Secretary Sanjesh Lal says Fiji should follow suit with the international community on establishing city/town pounds and seek to capture and re-home friendly dogs whereas feral, aggressive, and sick dogs need to be put to sleep using euthanasia.

Lal says this is the most humane way of handling the stray dog population because it cannot decrease by de-sexing or poisoning.

He has also raised deep concern about the ever-growing stray dog population on passenger and driver safety as there have been attacks by stray dogs as well.

He says some of these dogs are in an advanced stage of mange, skin problem that causes the fur to fall off as these animals do not get vet care and are not vaccinated.

Lal says this is also becoming a worrying trend as the previous government and the former Minister of Agriculture, had failed to address this issue and there has not been a widespread awareness of pet ownership due to which female dogs and reactive dogs are dumped on the street.

He further says people need to be aware of animal protection by law enforcement as they lack knowledge of this.