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Police begin probe on Moratuwa Uni’s animal ‘killing’
View(s):Police have launched an investigation following a charge by animal rights activists that stray dogs and cats had been eliminated at the Moratuwa University last Friday. Vice Chancellor Ananda Jayawardene said police recorded his statement and statements from security personal of the University.
“The university did not encourage the killing of dogs but only wanted the dogs removed from the lecture halls, canteens and laboratories as they were a nuisance,” he said. He said he was not aware that the security personnel had used sedatives on the animals when they were instructed only to remove the animals in a humane manner. “Last Saturday I got to know that the dogs had been injected sedatives and two had died in the process,” he said.
An animal rights activist and founder of Ray of Hope, Iraki Lankika Koddituwakku said that security personnel had no expertise regarding the removal of strays and that they had committed a sinful act by injecting Ketamine to 20 dogs and cats . Another activist Wiboda Abegoda said they have lodged complaints at the Moratuwa and Homagama police stations to take action against those responsible for the killings.
Meanwhile, lawyer and animal rights activist Lalani Perera called for repeal of the 1907 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance and the introduction of fresh legislation, pointing out that under the existing law, the crime of cruelty to animals carried a meagre fine of Rs. 100.