By-Law limits three dogs for each landed property, one small breed in flats
“Although the exemption is extended to dogs belonging to the longhouses folks, nothing can stop us from vaccinating their dogs because if we feel there is rabies threat in these longhouses then we can ask them to get their dogs to be vaccinated,” he said.
This exemption is also given to dogs under the temporary care of Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or any other body recognised and approved by the minister in charge of local government, he added.
Penguang further said under this By- Law the local authority may require a dog owner to show proof that his or her dog has been vaccinated with antirabies vaccination or any other vaccination before any licence can be issued or renewed.
Besides that, the local authority may also require owners to have tagging on their dogs, but this is not mandatory at the moment.
He noted that if there is any change of ownership of the dog, the owner must report to the relevant local authority and a processing fee of RM10 will be charged upon ownership change.
This is to keep track of dog movements, especially at this time, he reasoned.
In addition, there is also provision under By- Law 8 that empowers the local authority to seize and impound any freeroaming dogs for 48 hours.
He said a seized dog shall only be released to the owner upon him or her paying impounding fee of RM50 per day or part thereof, and any unclaimed dog shall be put to sleep.
By- Law 4(1) provides for the licence once issued to be valid for three years, under which the licence fee for sterilised dog is RM30 and RM90 for non-sterilised dog for three years.
Unless otherwise approved by the local authority, By-Law 9 limits three dogs for each landed property or one small breed in the case of flats or apartments.
The licence fee for additional dog is RM90 ( sterilized dog) and RM270 for nonsterilized dog for three years. Penguang said the By- Law also makes it an offence for the owner to keep diseased dogs, and it also stipulates the procedures which the local authorities are required to comply with when seizing a diseased dog. He added there is also a provision that requires dog breeders or owners of pet shops where dogs are offered for sale to obtain a licence for their business premises from the local authority.
Under the provision, the licence fee for dog breeding is RM1,000 and RM500 for a pet shop per annum.
The maximum fine contravening this By- law RM10,000, he added.
Ministry of Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Bakrie Zaini, head of Public Health Dr Cheong Yaw Liang and principal assistant secretary ( Legal and Policy Unit, Ivy Suli Untup, were also present at the press conference. for is