SUVA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- A total of 248 stray dogs have been captured during the first four weeks of the eight-week intensive Stray Dog Control Campaign in Suva and Lautoka, the two cities in Fiji.

According to a government statement on Wednesday, the four weeks of trapping stray dogs has been carried out with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Production Division.

The team said on Wednesday that they have been selling dog licenses and carrying trapping exercises at night in these area. Trapped dogs are taken to pounds belonging to the government and municipal councils where veterinarians and qualified para-vets assess them.

Dogs that pass the assessment are being de-sexed by Animals Fiji in the Western side of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy said that the de-sexed dogs were available for adoption and rehoming with licenses that costs 13.20 Fijian dollars (about 6.30 U.S. dollars). The remaining dogs are released under the Trap Neuter (TNR) and release program, he added.

TNR is a long term solution as it prevents the increase of the stray dog population.

The ministry of agriculture will continue with the trapping of stray dogs in towns and cities and will be working closely with SPCA, Animals Fiji and Pacific Animal Shelter and Hospital (PASH) Fiji to eradicate stray and wild dogs in the island nation.

The ministry will also enforce dog legislation on people who do not abide by the law and will upgrade and strengthen the services of the Spay and Neuter Program with the approved budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

The move was done after several people came up with complaints of having to be medically treated following attacks in public places by these stray dogs.