1. STRAY DOGS

 

Why do we control dogs?

 

Stray dogs are capable of transmitting a variety of diseases and on some occasions they attack human beings. They are hosts of disease carrying arthropods such as fleas, lice and ticks. Aside from being a nuisance, they can transmit rabies.

 

Control

 

Trapping

Dog trapping is the safest way, but sometimes does not give good result.

 

Set the tap in resting places of the dogs and put in attractive baits e.g. meat or roasted chicken. Leave the trap overnight to give enough time as the dog has an unpredictable feeding pattern.

 

Blowpipe

The pipe is a pipe of ½ inch diameter with a ‘flying syringe’ or dart. Observe the following procedure in preparing the dart:

 

1. The drug (scoline) is injected with an ordinary syringe and a fine needle. (See fig. 1) Use only 2 cc of scoline in each load.

 

2. The “mini-jet” canula is then placed and pressed securely on the cone of the syringe. (Fig. 2)

 

3. Now, ordinary needles can be pushed through the stabilizer and the silicon washer until it reaches the space between the silicon washer and rubber plunger. Put gas pressure. (as shown in Fig. 3)

 

4. When shooting a dog using a dart and blowpipe try to hit the soft pints of the body to ensure the drug in injected.

 

Baiting

Hide a strychnine capsule within the bait. For quick effect remove the capsule of strychnine and mix the powder form with the meat or roasted chicken. The dog will collapse in a few minutes after the bait has been eaten so make sure to remove it from site.

 

2. STRAY CATS

 

In rural areas, groups of feral cats are largely self-supporting and usually maintain a reasonably stable colony whose size is related to food availability in the territory. Some of the cats are stray, lost or abandoned and others are born in the wild.

 

Why do we control feral cats?

Cats, whether domestic or feral, cats may carry infectious diseases which are transmissible to humans. These can cause diseases such as ringworm, cat scratch fever damage from toxacara felis infections and toxoplasmosis. Feral cats may transmit diseases such as cat flu, feline infectious enteritis and ringworm to pet cats through direct contact or via human hands.

 

Control

 

Trapping

Trapping systems reduce the need to handle the cat and therefore the risk of bites and scratches should be slight.

 

To operate:

 

•   Place the self-springing trap where the cat normally feeds.
•   Lift the locking bar and front door. Place the bait (cat food or sardine) behind the trap plate and set the lock into position.
•   To quieten a frightened cat, cover the trap with a rug or blanket.

 

Blowpipe

Using a blowpipe:  Refer to the control of stray dogs. However, for cats use only 1 cc of scoline in each load;

When shooting a cat using a dart and blowpipe try to hit the soft parts of the body to ensure the drug is injected.

 

 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN CONTROLLING CATS OR DOGS

 

•   Poison baiting should take place away from children and other animals. PCO must watch the poisoned baits all the time.
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•   Never leave poisoned baits on site; dispose of them properly.
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•   Inform residents of control work in order to: a) avoid accidental trapping or pets, and b) ensure pets have collars.
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•   Do not point the loaded blowpipe at anybody.
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•   Wear protective gloves when mixing the poisoned baits.
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•   Any bite from a dog should be treated immediately in hospital.
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•   Any bite or scratch a cat should be washed well with an antiseptic solution.
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•   Dispose of the animals humanely. Wash hands thoroughly after handling dead animals, traps and bait.