Question 1

Do I have to vaccinate and register my dog?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every dog over six weeks of age must be vaccinated against rabies and registered with the relevant local authority, annually.

Question 2

Who may vaccinate my dog?

Accepted Answer

Only a veterinary surgeon, or a person working under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon.

Question 3

What counts as 'vaccination'?

Accepted Answer

For a puppy: the primary vaccination after twelve weeks of age, followed by a booster six weeks later. For an adult dog: a booster before twelve months have lapsed from the last vaccination.

Question 4

How do I register the dog?

Accepted Answer

After vaccination, once the certificate of vaccination is issued, register with the relevant local authority on payment of the prescribed fee. A registration number and a certificate of registration are then issued to you.

Question 5

Must I produce the certificates on demand? What if I cannot?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must produce the valid vaccination and registration certificates when an authorised officer requires it. If you cannot, a notice gives you fourteen days to comply, extendable by a further fourteen days for a reasonable cause. Failing that, a penalty of two thousand rupees applies in addition to the registration fee.

Question 6

If a dog is sold or gifted, must the new owner register it again?

Accepted Answer

Not if it is already registered for that year. The new owner must keep the existing certificate of registration, endorsed by the previous owner in respect of the sale or gift.

Question 7

Who is liable if my dog attacks someone?

Accepted Answer

The owner. The owner is liable for damages caused in an attack on any person or animal by the dog, and for injuries caused by it.

Question 8

What acts are offences, and what is the penalty?

Accepted Answer

Abandoning a dog at a public place; failing to notify the local authority about a rabid or suspected rabid dog; letting such a dog go at large; removing or obstructing the lawful seizure of a dog. Each carries a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees, imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both.

Question 9

Can I vaccinate and register a street dog I look after?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any person who takes responsibility for the welfare of a street dog may comply with the same requirement that applies to owners.

Question 10

What happens to stray dogs?

Accepted Answer

The local authority must vaccinate and identify them, have them sterilized or castrated by a veterinary surgeon, care for them until fully recovered, and release them to the same place from where they were captured.

Question 11

Do I need a licence for a breeding centre?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any premises where dogs are bred for the sale of offspring, including a private dwelling, requires a licence from the relevant local authority.

Question 12

How do I obtain the licence?

Accepted Answer

Apply to the local authority in the prescribed form with the prescribed particulars and fee. A veterinary surgeon or authorised officer inspects the centre and submits a report. If the application is refused, the reasons must be given in writing within fourteen days.

Question 13

What are the licence holder's duties?

Accepted Answer

Provide a healthy environment with adequate food, water, bedding, exercising facilities, lighting, ventilation, temperature, shelter and veterinary care; prevent and control the spread of disease; follow the prescribed instructions on breeding and care; and protect the dogs in emergencies such as fire and floods. The death of any dog at the centre must be reported forthwith to the local authority.

Question 14

Licence validity, renewal, cancellation and appeal?

Accepted Answer

A licence is valid for twelve months and may be renewed for twelve months at a time. If renewal is not applied for one month before expiry, the licence is deemed cancelled. Breach of conditions brings a notice of cancellation or suspension, and after cancellation you cannot reapply for two years. An appeal lies to the Secretary to the Ministry within thirty days. Contravening section 11 carries a fine up to ten thousand rupees, imprisonment up to two months, or both.

Question 15

What are a veterinary surgeon's duties?

Accepted Answer

Perform or supervise vaccination; perform sterilization or castration (only a veterinary surgeon may do so); maintain a register of vaccinated dogs in the prescribed form; and report the state of rabies in the relevant area or District to the Director at least once a month.

Question 16

What weight does a veterinary certificate carry? When may a dog be euthanised?

Accepted Answer

A veterinary surgeon's certificate that a dog is or was infected with rabies is conclusive evidence of that fact in court. Where the Government veterinary surgeon, in consultation with the Department of Animal Production and Health veterinary surgeon, is of the opinion that a detained dog is infected, it may be euthanised to prevent immediate danger to the public.

Question 17

What are a local authority's main duties?

Accepted Answer

Ensure every dog in its area is vaccinated and registered annually; maintain the 'Register of Dogs'; vaccinate and sterilize stray dogs; provide and maintain suitable detention centres and observation cells; declare rabies areas and publish the notice in a newspaper in Sinhala, Tamil and English; and licence breeding centres.

Question 18

What if the local authority fails to act?

Accepted Answer

A local authority that receives notice of a rabid dog and fails to perform a duty imposed on it commits an offence, punishable with a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees.

Question 19

Who are authorised officers and what powers do they have?

Accepted Answer

A veterinary surgeon or other officer authorised in writing by the Mayor or Chairman, a police officer, and a medical officer of health. On reasonable grounds of a violation they may enter premises, examine dogs, seize and detain them, inspect documents and take copies, stop and search vehicles, take photographs and videos, take samples with a veterinary surgeon, and make inquiries. All offences under the Act are cognizable.

Question 20

Is quarantine required for imported dogs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every dog imported into Sri Lanka must be quarantined for a minimum of thirty days. The importer bears all costs of food, water, treatment, maintenance and carcass disposal, plus the prescribed quarantine fee. If a dog in quarantine is found to have rabies, the Government veterinary surgeon may euthanise it.

Question 21

What happens to the old Ordinances and existing licences?

Accepted Answer

The Rabies Ordinance (Chapter 476) and the Dog Registration Ordinance (Chapter 477) are repealed. However, licences, registrations, applications, contracts, legal proceedings and orders subsisting under them are deemed to have been made under this Act.

Question 22

Is this law yet? Which language text prevails?

Accepted Answer

This is still only a Bill; it does not become law until passed by Parliament. In the event of any inconsistency between the Sinhala and Tamil texts, the Sinhala text prevails.

FAQ

FAQ

FAQ

For Pet Owners

Do I have to vaccinate and register my dog?

Who may vaccinate my dog?

What counts as 'vaccination'?

How do I register the dog?

Must I produce the certificates on demand? What if I cannot?

If a dog is sold or gifted, must the new owner register it again?

Who is liable if my dog attacks someone?

What acts are offences, and what is the penalty?

For Animal Welfare Volunteers

For Dog Breeders

For veterinary surgeons

For local authorities

For authorised officers and police officers

For importers of dogs

For the general public

FAQ

For Pet Owners

Do I have to vaccinate and register my dog?

Who may vaccinate my dog?

What counts as 'vaccination'?

How do I register the dog?

Must I produce the certificates on demand? What if I cannot?

If a dog is sold or gifted, must the new owner register it again?

Who is liable if my dog attacks someone?

What acts are offences, and what is the penalty?

For Animal Welfare Volunteers

For Dog Breeders

For veterinary surgeons

For local authorities

For authorised officers and police officers

For importers of dogs

For the general public