Pet dog that bit boy tested positive for rabies

SIBU: The dog that bit a boy at a housing area in Jalan Sanhill Barat here recently has been tested positive for rabies.

Director of Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Dr Adrian Susin Ambud disclosed this yesterday when asked on the outcome of the sample sent to the state Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

“The dog tested positive for rabies,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Sibu Rural District Council secretary Justani Joni said in a recent statement that they received a call from Sibu Hospital on Monday (May 25) notifying them of a dog-bite case involving a five-year-old boy.

He said the council also received the same information from Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

According to Justani, the case reportedly happened about 3pm

Sunday (May 24) involving a boy bitten by a family pet dog.

Divisional Health officer Dr Teh Jo Hun said the dog died the following day after it bit the boy.

The boy had already been vaccinated, he said, adding the dog was a free-roaming pet.

SRDC deputy chairman Councillor Robert Lau, meanwhile, advised people to take their pets for vaccination once a year.