A VETERINARY clinic in the country could soon be entrusted with the task of controlling the stray dog population ... and animal welfare advocates are hoping for the best.

A tender has been launched by the Municipalities Affairs and Agricultural Ministry for a clinic to assist in the cause for 30 months.

According to the tender, the clinic’s role will include the ‘sterilisation of dogs’, for example, ‘the castration of healthy male dogs and neutering of healthy non-lactating female dogs, and euthanasia in limited cases only’.

The tender’s closing date is April 26.

National Initiative for Animal Welfare founder Musab Al Shaikh said the tender for dealing with strays was a step in the right direction as it included two axes – keeping dogs away from residential areas and trying to reduce the number of strays through surgeries to prevent reproduction.

“The National Initiative for Animal Welfare appreciates these efforts, which indicate the seriousness of the state in dealing with the problem, even if it is expensive,” he told the GDN. “It also shows that the government is taking citizens’ concerns into consideration,” he added.

Mr Al Shaikh said the welfare society was in contact with the Muharraq Municipal Council to present their views “to provide a radical solution to this phenomenon”.

He said the strays had not mushroomed over a single day, “but rather as a result of the lack of regulation over animal possession, which makes it easy for owners of dogs and cats to get rid of them.” Animals then breed and multiply on the streets, he added.

He claimed that the government did not have an official count of the animal population in the country and that a comprehensive database was vital to tackle the issue.

“Our views are based on a legislation requiring owners of dogs and cats to register them in a central database, install a microchip and punish those who abandon and abuse their animals,” he added.

The GDN had earlier reported about a proposal to have animals microchipped and registered by Bahrain’s authorities.

This is following the Southern Municipal Council approving a Dangerous Animals’ Possession draft law, which had been drawn up by former MPs, and referred for review by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak.

Under it, dogs could be classified as ‘dangerous animals’ as some legislators want ‘man’s best friend’ to be placed in the same category as tigers, lions, alligators and other wild beasts.

Individuals could be jailed for life and fined up to BD30,000 for illegally keeping an unregistered ‘dangerous animal’.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre’s volunteer team leader Muna Aldaaysi supported an intensive CNR (capture, neuter, release) programme.

“It is a move in the right direction,” she said.

“We have always advocated for an intensive CNR programme because we do believe that it is the only viable solution to the current stray dog problem in Bahrain,” Ms Aldaaysi added.

“However, we do have our reservations because previous efforts have been found lacking. In the past, we have seen countless dogs negatively affected by careless and rushed treatment including puppies as young as a couple of weeks old being separated from their mothers, spayed and neutered, and dumped only a day or so after surgery amongst established packs in Askar.

“CNR is an effective solution, but it must be handled with thought and in accordance with the best medical practice.

“If the upcoming programme is sufficiently funded and led by a team of veterinary and behavioural experts, we will have a positive and humane solution that gradually curbs the population size.

“To succeed, this programme must also take into consideration the input of those on the ground, local feeders and animal rescuers.”

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