KUCHING, Sept 8: A total of 430 pet dogs were vaccinated against the dreaded rabies virus at Metrocity, Matang today.
According to veterinary officer Dr Ainul Riza Abu Seman, some 249 dog owners came as early as 8am to queue up for their beloved pets to be vaccinated free of charge.
“We have prepared 1,000 vaccination for this exercise. We hope for a good response from members of the public from Matang area,” she told members of the media before the vaccination exercise was carried out.
She added that beside vaccinating dogs, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) has been doing outreach and education programmes for dog-owners on the importance of vaccinating their pets against rabies.
“As we all know, it’s crucial for all dogs to be vaccinated now because we are facing an outbreak of rabies. So we hope that if the dog owners missed this opportunity they can always call us for more information on where we will have similar programmes in future,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman thanked DVSS for their efforts to help curb the spread of rabies in Matang area.
“I would also like to advise those who have not vaccinated their dogs to do so as soon as possible. This way we can help prevent the scourge of rabies in Matang area,” he said.
He also advised dog owners to get their pets licenced.
Besides Matang, 35 other areas have been declared as rabies infected areas, with the virus detected as far as Sarikei. So far, rabies has claimed twelve lives in Sarawak since it was first detected in Serian in July last year.
For more information, members of the public may reach the rabies operations room at 082-612949 and the DVS Sarawak headquarters at 082-628250/628255. — DayakDaily
