By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 7: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has asked that residents who own pets adhere to the three-dog limit per property, have their pets vaccinated, and keep them within the boundaries of their own properties.
Wee explained that a large-scale rabies operation will be conducted in the Kuching Division beginning tomorrow (May 8) and lasting until May 12. However, he did not provide any information regarding the operation’s locations.
He stated that the operation would last five days and would involve local authorities such as MBKS, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), as well as the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
“The operation will be carried out in groups, beginning with the MBKS area, and then individually by MPP, DBKU, and MBKS.
“All authorities will join us in this effort. The captures are not made all at once, but over time,” he told reporters when met at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Combined Open House jointly organised by MPP, MBKS, Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG), Batu Kitang assemblyman, and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, which was held today in the Community Hall at Kampung Haji Baki here.
Wee continued stating, “Don’t let your pets out. If your pets are discovered roaming outside your property, it will be difficult for the authorities to distinguish them from stray animals, as they will remove all stray animals in the area.
“We are also developing a policy to make vaccination and microchipping of dogs mandatory, and once all the Councils have endorsed it, we will submit it to the Ministry for their endorsement.”
He went on to say that policies and regulations will be strengthened to prevent pets from being brought into eateries.
In addition, he urged the general public to seek immediate medical attention if they have been scratched or bitten by pets or strays.
When asked if there are any other victims besides the nine who were bitten by a rabid dog last Sunday in the vicinity of RH Plaza here, he responded, “So far, we do not have any other reports, and what we actually did following the case was we went back to the area where the dog was and capture other dogs that had mixed with the dog.”
Meanwhile, Wee mentioned in his ShallWeeTalk online session yesterday (May 6) that MBKS has removed approximately 30 stray dogs and cats to address growing concerns about a potential rabies outbreak in the aftermath of the rabid dog that bit nine people last Sunday.
Also present were Deputy Premier of Sarawak and MPHLG Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, MPP chairman Tan Kai, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap. — DayakDaily
