Veterinary Association Says Proposed Dog Law Introduces Registration, Not a “Dog Tax”

The Association of Companion Animal Practitioners of Sri Lanka has clarified that the proposed new legislation concerning dogs provides for dog registration and should not be misunderstood as the introduction of a “dog tax.”

The clarification was made by the association’s president, Dr. Surangika Hapuarachchi, during a programme held at Kelaniya Dharmaloka College to educate students on rabies prevention and responsible pet care.

The programme was conducted as part of activities organised to mark World Rabies Day, which was observed on September 28. The Association of Companion Animal Practitioners of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association and several other organisations are conducting public awareness programmes during Rabies Week.

Dr. Hapuarachchi said a number of programmes are being conducted across the country to raise public awareness about rabies prevention. She said veterinary professionals visited the school to educate students about responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention.

This year’s World Rabies Day theme is “Stronger Together.” The World Health Organization has also identified the same theme for World Rabies Day 2026 and highlighted the importance of collaboration between communities, health professionals, veterinarians and authorities in eliminating rabies.

Dr. Hapuarachchi also said there is no such category as “stray dogs” in the sense that dogs naturally belong on the streets, arguing that human actions contribute to dogs becoming free-roaming. She said programmes to control the dog population through sterilisation are being carried out across the country.

Regarding the proposed new legislation, she said it was not intended to create difficulties for the public and stressed that dog registration should not be confused with a separate tax.

The proposed Elimination of Rabies and Registration of Dogs Bill provides for the registration of dogs and measures including rabies vaccination, dog-population control and regulation of commercial breeding. The Bill was presented to Parliament on September 24.

Under the proposed legislation, dogs over six weeks of age would have to be vaccinated against rabies and registered annually with the relevant local authority. Reports on the Bill state that registration would involve a prescribed fee, while failure to register could result in a fine in addition to the registration fee.