Local councils offer one-year exemption on dog licence fees
KUCHING: The local authorities under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing are offering a one-year exemption on dog licence fees from today ( Dec 1) until Nov 30 next year.
The ministry’s permanent secretary Bakrie Zaini said this is to encourage dog owners to get their pets licensed, as the implementation of Local Authorities ( Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws 2018 takes effect today ( Dec 1).
“However, this licence fee exemption is only for those people who submit their dog licence application between Dec 3, 2018 and Feb 28, 2019.
“Any application submitted outside this offer period will be subjected to the new fee structure,” he told a press conference yesterday. Also present was the ministry’s principal assistant secretary (development and policy unit) Ivy Suli Untup.
He said the annual fee is RM10 per sterilised dog and RM30 per non-sterilised dog. However, those having more than three dogs will have to pay annual subsequent fees of RM30 per sterilised dog and RM90 per non-sterilised dog.
In order to avoid the hassle of having to renew their dog licence every year, Bakrie said dog owners may obtain the licence of a term of three years.
“The form for dog licence application can be downloaded from the respective local authorities’ websites. Members of the public are encouraged to apply for their dog licence during this exemption period,” he said.
He also explained the enforcement of the new by-laws covers all 26 local authorities in the state including the Kuching North City Commission ( DBKU) and Bintulu Development Authority ( BDA).
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil on Oct 22 announced the new Local Authorities ( Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws 2018 to limit the number of dogs per property to three dogs for landed properties or one small breed dog for flat and apartment properties.
Tabled and approved by the Sarawak Cabinet on Oct 18, the by-laws come into force effective Dec 1, 2018.
It is said to be a follow up step taken by the state following rabies outbreak since last year.