Rabies vaccination at SK St John, Kpg Sebayar, Samarahan

KUCHING: The Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) will be conducting a free mass vaccination programme at SK St John, Kampung Sebayar, Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa in Samarahan this Saturday.

A statement from the secretariat of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee yesterday said the programme will run from 9am to 2pm.

DVS advised the public to not allow their pets, whether vaccinated or not, to mix with stray animals, and to observe their behaviour for potential changes, such as going from being tame to vicious, biting any moving objects, displaying hydrophobia and fear of light, salivating excessively and displaying aggression.

Animals showing these signs should be immediately reported to DVS on 082- 612949 or 082- 611607, said the statement.

Under Section 37( 2) and 37( 3) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, it is an offence for owners to allow their dogs to roam freely or to remove dogs in rabies-infected areas without written permission from the State Veterinary Authority.

Offenders risk a fine of not more than RM5,000, or a jail term not exceeding three months, or both, if convicted.

According to the statement, the State Health Department recorded 45 new animal bite cases, with 26 recorded in Kuching, three in Samarahan, 10 in Serian, one in Sri Aman and five in Betong.

Of the 45 cases, 21 bites were by pet dogs, 18 by pet cats, four by stray dogs and two by stray cats.

Since April 1 last year, Sarawak has recorded 12,277 animal bite cases, while 4,387 people have received antirabies vaccination.