Stray dogs in Kandy to be relocated during Dalada perahera

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Every year during the preparatory week ahead of the Kandy Esala Maha Perahara, animal lovers affiliated to the Kandy Association for Community Protection through Animal Welfare(KACPAW) intervene and temporarily relocate the street dogs from the city square. During the perahera season, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic requests the Kandy Municipal Council that the community dogs living in the city square be temporarily removed. But due to the lack of proper facilities to house these dogs in the Kandy Municipal Council, the KACPAW intervenes to relocate them. The dogs are also vaccinated against rabies and parvo distemper. Champa Fernando the secretary of KACPAW noted that it was important that Dalada Perahera one of the foremost Buddhist traditions in Sri Lanka, would not commence with throwing animal lives in harm's way. The Esala Perehera commenced on the 5th and will go on till August 15th. These dogs that were removed were taken into a temporary shelter located in the city for the days to come. Champa Fernando added that upon the conclusion of the perahera they would return them to their usual habitat.

---