‘SOPs strictly followed to remove strays’
I have received around 30 emails from the public including from overseas accusing the Sarawak government or councils of killing the dogs, which I deny. In fact, the Disaster Management Committee is also working together with Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and Save Our Strays (SOS) to conduct the operations so that they can see how procedures are carried out.
KUCHING: Members of the public are urged not to point fingers at and accuse the government and authorities of killing dogs unscrupulously during the current rabies outbreak here.
Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan said that the State Disaster Management Committee and Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) Sarawak closely adhered to standard operating procedures ( SOPs) when conducting operations to remove stray dogs from the streets.
“I have received around 30 emails from the public including from overseas accusing the Sarawak government or councils of killing the dogs, which I deny.
“In fact, the State Disaster Management Committee is also working together with Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SSPCA) and Save Our Strays ( SOS) to conduct the operations so that they can see how procedures are carried out,” he told reporters when met after receiving a courtesy call from Kuching City Hash Club and Qionghai6 Hash delegation at his office here yesterday.
He added that the whole purpose of these operations was to prevent further rabies outbreak.
“We are not culling the dogs as alleged by some members of the public. It is all about prevention and how we can curb the outbreak and eventually be declared rabiesfree.”
During this period, he said it’s crucial that the public fully cooperate with the government and relevant authorities in their efforts to curb the spread of rabies.
“The public cannot just rely on the government, authorities and councils alone.
“They must work together with us and only then can we put a stop to the outbreak and prevent the spread of rabies,” he said.
Chan said members of the public could do their part by ensuring that their pet dogs are vaccinated and kept in their house compound at all times until the rabies outbreak is contained.
He also appealed to the public not to take videos when the enforcement teams are carrying out the operation to remove the strays.
“When officials are doing their work, please don’t take videos because they are under the directive to do so.
“I’m also certain that the government officers would not want to go and disturb those dogs unnecessarily if it is not for rabies prevention.”
Chan also commended NGOs such as the SSPCA and SOS for taking the initiative to round up stray dogs and keeping them in their compound.
“This is a good move and we are not against it.
“Our intention is to make sure the public feel safe when they walk in the streets of Kuching. Sometimes in the society, there must be a give- and-take and yes, we don’t want anything to happen to these animals but at the same time, we must also take care of our own people.
“There is a very fine balance here so please don’t accuse us of killing all dogs. “It’s not true.” Since the rabies outbreak in June last year, the deadly disease has claimed a dozen victims with the most recent case involving a 44-year- old man from Jalan Matang who died on Aug 21.
With the numbers growing, the Sarawak government has further intensified efforts to eradicate rabies with the Disaster Management Committee working alongside DVS and MBKS by removing free-roaming dogs (including pet dogs) at rabies-affected areas from Sept 1 to 30.
Chan said thus far, the council has removed 21 dogs in areas under its jurisdiction since the intensified operations started earlier this month.
“As directed by the committee, MBKS is carrying out the Roaming Dogs Removal Operation including licensed and unlicensed collared dogs in Tabuan Jaya, Tabuan Tranquility, Stutong, BDC, Tabuan Heights, Stampin and Hakka Avenue to control the spread of rabies.”
Datuk James Chan, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor