Local councils on high alert for rabies
KUCHING: Local councils in towns and cities across the state have been put on high alert to prevent the spread of rabies.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said the councils have been instructed to round up all stray dogs from roaming the streets.
“Stray dogs are to be removed from all the streets and towns, especially those in ‘ red areas’. This is to contain further spread of the disease,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
“This is part of the councils’ normal duties to ensure proper public order and cleanliness.”
When contacted, Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said the Kuching North City Commission’s ( DBKU) dog catching team, which was deployed to help in Serian, is now back in Kuching North.
“We have now embarked on a more aggressive move to round up all strays by forming another team to make it two now. We used to have only one all this while, and on average we caught 60 strays per month.
“Since this morning ( yesterday) , we have made arrangements with the Veterinary Department to send all the strays caught to them,” he revealed, adding the two teams caught 10 strays within two hours.
He advised pet owners to look after their animals, ensuring their health and wellbeing.
“Also not letting them outside as a precaution not to catch the dreaded disease,” he said.
“I hope that the outbreak can be controlled with everyone’s cooperation.”
Kuching South mayor Datuk James Chan said Kuching folk are fully aware of the rabies outbreaks in Serian and Siburan, and therefore very sensitive regarding stray dogs.
“MBKS ( Kuching S outh City Council) is working with SSPCA ( Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) very closely on stray dogs and is on its normal plan for catching of stray dogs and mainly are based on public feedback,” he said.
“However, at this time, there is an increase of public reports for MBKS’ Dog Unit to go to a number of locations to catch stray dogs.”
However, Chan said in relation to the prevention and other measures dealing with rabies, the State Disaster Management Committee and Health Ministry are the authorities concerned.
“They will from time to time, issue advice and instructions to all government-related agencies and local authorities,” he said.