All Smiles: An employee of the Bali Animal Welfare Assocation (BAWA) tends to two healthy dogs at a BAWA clinic in Lod Tunduh in Gianyar. The three-legged dog (left) was a street dog that was injured after being hit by a car. (JP/Hyginus Hardoyo)

When the Bali administration announced its drive to cull stray dogs following the rabies outbreak late last year, only a few groups offered suggestions on how to conduct the culling humanely.

The Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) was one of them. This was not the time to panic or promote the wholesale killing of innocent stray dogs, BAWA pointed out upon learning about the plan to cull all stray dogs throughout Bali.

With the rabies outbreak appearing to be localized, BAWA suggested more carefully considered containment and eradication protocols, including the quarantine of affected areas, restricting the movement of animals, public education and vaccination programs.

"It is in everyone's interest that all stakeholders work together to address this issue, including animal owners, veterinary associations, animal welfare groups and government bodies, not only to stem the current outbreak, but also prevent it happening again," BAWA said.

At least six people are reported to have died from the disease since the rabies outbreak was first discovered in Ungasan village, South Kuta, in September last year.

In response to BAWA's suggestions to contain the spread of the disease, the Badung and Denpasar administrations have launched a number of steps, including the mass vaccination drives targeting not only stray but also pet dogs in Ungasan and its surrounding areas.

According to BAWA, vaccination and sterilization, as conducted in many countries, are well recognized as the most reliable methods for controlling animal populations and any diseases they may carry.

The association called for the administration's support in the implementation of such programs on the island in the interest of Balinese, their animals and the tourist industry.

Janice Girardi, BAWA's founder, said that tourists love Indonesia and the beauty and culture of Bali.

However, they are often distressed by the seeming lack of respect for the health and welfare of their animals: The malnourished horses pulling carts in Denpasar, condition of animals in markets, injured dogs suffering on roadsides, she said.

The government's response to the rabies outbreak, if not managed properly, has the potential to further taint the international reputation of the island and its people, she said.

"Bali's dogs, cats, monkeys, birds and other wildlife are an integral part of the ecosystem and culture of Bali. We should work together to protect these animals."

Girardi explained that despite the lack of government support, BAWA has attempted to manage the dog population humanely.

"In running the sterilization program we use our ambulance to go from banjar *customary village* to banjar. We stay in the banjar for as many days as it takes until we can sterilize at least 65 percent of dogs in that area," she explained.

"We manage to sterilize an average of 30 dogs a day. And currently BAWA catches up to 70 dogs a day for spay/neuter and other health programs amid its constant struggle to source funding for vital medication."

The sterilization program has prevented the birth of thousands of unwanted puppies in Bali over the past decade, Girardi said, claiming that through these efforts, the population of street dogs has been contained to about 500,000 in Bali at present, compared with about one million 10 years ago.

BAWA runs programs in addition to its health programs, including education on animal welfare. They target 10- to 11-year-old children.

Education and increased public awareness are considered the most important factors because the poor understanding of animal welfare issues means there is a high degree of suffering among Bali's animal population.

Newborn puppies, especially females, are often dumped in the street to die. Many dogs live with serious, untreated injuries sustained during traffic accidents.

"Dogs are chained up in the sun without water, puppies abandoned, injured animals left to slowly die. Dogs are poisoned, beaten and stabbed to death, and animals are not protected from injury or disease," Girardi said.

With an initial focus on the children in two schools near Ubud, a puppy adoption program has been announced in which participating children, with parental permission, can adopt a puppy from the BAWA clinic.

Other wounded dogs are frequently brought to the clinic, treated and, when healed, released where they were found.

Girardi explained that by bringing the animal welfare awareness program into Balinese homes, monitored by Balinese vets and encouraged by Balinese teachers, it is hoped that the concepts will be better understood and adopted at the community level.

"Our public education programs aim to promote a culture of respect and responsibility for our animal companions," she said, adding that these initial steps could be readily expanded with government support.

"In many cases we're helpless to do anything about the acts of cruelty against animals in Indonesia because of the absence of effective animal welfare laws," Girardi said.

She explained there is an old law on the books with a maximum 45 cent fine for poisoning, torturing or abusing an animal.

"However, the police do not consider this law worth enforcing. Without strong laws, BAWA can't protect the many animals that are abused here each year."

BAWA is inviting the public to sign a petition to help end this cruelty. On its website - www.bawabali.com - 1,990 people have registered; their target is 2,000 signatures.

"The more signatures we can get, the faster we can approach the government to strengthen the laws," Girardi said, "and the sooner Indonesia's animals will be protected from abuse."

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