THE issue growing stray dog population in Auki has raised serious concerns amongst both residents of the Malaita Provincial Capital and visitors.
Auki Town Council (ATC) Supervisor Ben Laufa told Solomon Star on Wednesday that the increasing number of stray dogs roaming Auki pose a serious public health and safety threat to residents and visitors alike.
Mr Laufa said this problem is particularly worrying for those arriving in the township at night to await vehicle transport to other parts of Malaita or await ships to travel to Honiara.
Several dog attack incidents have been reported in Auki and the latest incident involved a 12-year-old boy at the wharf, raising concerns and highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue.
Mr Laufa said despite these alarming incidents, little has been done to manage or control the stray dog population, causing frustration to the Auki Community.
He added that Auki residents are now calling on Law Enforcement Officers, Health and Environment authorities, the Provincial Administration and dog owners to take immediate action to manage stray dogs.
But Mr Laufa said this situation demands a coordinated response to ensure the safety of the public and improve the overall living conditions in Auki.
To address this issue, Mr Laufa suggested four solutions which he said can be implemented to mitigate the problem and they are Stray Dog Management Program, Public Awareness, Strengthened Law Enforcement and Collaboration with Non-Government Organizations.
On Stray Dog Management Program, he said the ATC in collaboration with health and veterinary authorities, should initiate a comprehensive stray dog management program that will see the neutering of dogs to control their population, establishment of dog-care shelters and the offering of regular veterinary service to ensure responsible dog pet ownership.
On Public Awareness, Mr Laufa said educating dog owners and the general public on responsible pet ownership through radio, social media, newspapers, posters and community meeting will also help reduce the stray dog population.
On Strengthened Law Enforcement, he said the police should be actively involved in ensuring that stray dogs do not pose a threat to public safety by enforcing existing laws or byelaws on animal control and penalizing negligent dog owners who allow their pets to roam freely.
On Collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations, Mr Laufa said partnering with NGOs that are focused on animal welfare could help implement sustainable solutions.
He said such animal welfare-focused organizations can provide expertise in managing stray animals and offer resources for animal care programs.
Mr Laufa said the growing stray dog population in Auki is a pressing issue that requires collective effort from relevant authorities and community member, including dog owners, to address.
He added that by working together, everyone can create a safer, cleaner, and healthier environment for all in Auki.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Auki
