Nearly 4000 dogs roam the streets of Colombo municipal council area. Attitude towards roaming dogs and their welfare before (2007) and after (2010) CNVR intervention* was tested independently (Chi square analyses) in two localities: Mattakkuliya lower-income households and Kirula upper-income households in both dog-owned (DOHH) and non-dog-owning households (NDOHH).

A door-to-door questionnaire was administered to household residents selected systematically. Statements administered: (1) "Street dogs should be looked after by the community"; (2) "Welfare of street dogs is important to me"; (3) "I like to have dogs around my street"; and (4) "It is not acceptable to kill dogs." Responses of "agree," "disagree" and "unsure" were analyzed using Microsoft Access 2000 and Excel software. Response rate was over 60%.

For statements 1 and 2, the intervention* seemed to have no influence in Kirula. However, an improved attitude was observed in Mattakkuliya for both statements in NDOHHs. A statistical association between attitudes for statement 2 in 2007 in both localities was observed, and it was related to dog ownership (p > 0.05).

Majority of residents irrespective of dog ownership, socioeconomic status and intervention* disliked roaming dogs and culling. In Mattakkuliya (2010), there was a statistical association between attitude values for both latter statements. It was related to dog ownership (p > 0.05) and not influenced by the intervention,* although not proven statistically. Clearly roaming dogs are a community concern, and the data infers a positive correlation between the intervention* and changes in attitudes. Work is continuing with a 3rd survey in 2013/14.