The CMC has already conducted a census on the stray dogs population, and found the details about 2,000 such dogs.

Instead of the previous practice of culling cats and dogs, they are being sterilized and injected with the anti-rabies vaccine, said Dr. Dharmawardena.

Around 35 rabies cases had been reported per year around five years back, but the new measure has helped to bring down the number to five, he said.

The ultimate objective is to make Colombo a city free of rabies.

Shiona Weerasekara, who runs a centre for stray cats and dogs, says owner rsponsibilities should be legalized if this problem is to be solved, according to BBC Sandeshaya.