Strays found near the border to be culled to control the spread

KUCHING: All dogs and cats from Kalimantan cannot be brought into Sarawak and strays found near the border will be culled to control the spread of rabies in the state.

This was announced yesterday by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah who added that all dogs and cats kept by families and individuals near the border must be vaccinated against rabies.

“If the owner failed to do this, his dog or cat will be targeted for removal. The owner can also be fined up to RM2,500 under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999,”

The Malaysian armed forces will further strengthen the control at the border,” said Uggah, who is also State Disaster Management Committee chairman.

He also reminded pet owners that dogs and cats cannot be brought out from from rabiesinfected areas without a movement permit from the state veterinary controller.

“The police will set up roadblock to ensure pet owners do not bring out dogs and cats from rabiesinfected areas at will. This is an offence under Section 37( 3) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 which carries a fine not more than RM2,500 or jail term not more than two months or both,” he said.

He also announced that the state government has issued a directive to bar the entry of imported dogs and cats which are brought in without written consent or import permit issued by the state veterinary controller.

He stressed that import of dogs and cats without permit is an offence under Section 9 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries the fine up to RM50,000 or jail term not more than six months or both.

“Dogs and cats with the import permit must undergo quarantine. Those imported from the Peninsular will be quarantined for one month, while those from countries not free from rabies will be quarantined for four months.

“However, those imported from rabies free country certified by the World Organisation for Animal Health ( OIE) will be exempted from the quarantine,” he said.

He also warned pet owners not to abandon their dogs and cats by giving excuse that they could no longer take care of the animals.

This is also an offence under Section 73(1) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries the fine up to RM2,000 or jail term not more than six months or both.

Thus far, rabies on human has killed 12 people in Sarawak from the time it was first detected in June last year.

A total 41 localities have been declared as rabies-infected including newly gazetted ones at Sibu, Miri and Kapit Divisions. KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) f lag, the Jalur Gemilang and state flags at all Fire and Rescue stations in the country are f lown half- mast beginning yesterday until Sunday.

JBPM in a statement here yesterday said the flying of the f lags at half mast was being carried out as a mark of respect and appreciation for its six divers who drowned during a search and rescue ( SAR) operation in Puchong near here on Wednesday.

“JBPM expresses its gratitude to everyone for conveying their condolences and showing appreciation for the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.

“The concern and support shown are very much appreciated. It strengthens the spirit of our fire and rescue personnel to continue serving the people wholeheartedly,” the statement said.

The department said it would also do its best to ensure the welfare of the six divers’ nextof-kin was taken care of.

In the 9.15pm incident, the six divers died when conducting the SAR operation for a teenager who fell into a disused mining pool at Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong.

Four of the divers who died, from the Port Klang Fire and Rescue station, were identified as Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34, Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32, Mazlan Omarbaki, 25, and Yahya Ali, 24.

The other two; Adnan Othman, 33, and Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25, were from the Shah Alam station.

Their remains were laid to rest at their respective hometowns yesterday.

Meanwhile, the body of the teenage boy, Muhammad Ilham Fahmy Mohammad Azzam, 17, was found yesterday and laid to rest the same day at the Taman Putra Perdana Muslim cemetery. — Bernama