Sri Lanka, Nov. 13 -- The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) has raised concern over the rising number of dog bites in the country, citing a significant increase in the stray dog population.

AWC Executive Committee Member Champa Fernando stated that more than 250,000 dog bite incidents are reported in Sri Lanka every year.

Addressing a media briefing held in Kandy, Fernando emphasized the need for a systematic and well-coordinated sterilization program to effectively control the growing dog population.

Speaking at the same event, Gihan Dinushka, also an Executive Committee Member of the AWC, said:

"We estimate that there are between two to three million street dogs in Sri Lanka. Although no official census has been conducted, we calculate...