KUCHING, Aug 5: All plantation owners in the state will have to report the total number of dogs belonging to their workers as well as stray dogs, present on their premises.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah announced this new strategy in the ongoing fight against the rabies outbreak today when chairing a post-mortem meeting for the Fifth Phase of the Anti-Rabies Operation which ran from July 31 to August 4 covering Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong Districts recently.
He said the owners are given a month’s notice from today to submit the reports to their respective State Veterinary Services Department divisional office.
He said plantations near the state border with Kalimantan, Indonesia in particular must comply with this directive.
“At the same time, all Immigration and Customs officers manning all state exit/entry points must ensure no dogs are brought in from Kalimantan, Indonesia by owners or workers.
“The same directive goes to our Marine Police and other enforcement agencies providing security coverage along our coastline,” he said in a statement.
Uggah who is the chairman of the State Disaster Mangement Committee was glad to note that the people now had better awareness and understanding of the seriousness of the rabies threat.
“Even those non-governmental bodies which used to complain against the operation are less vocal now,” he said.
He said he had received a WhatsApp message from a member of the public who informed him about the presence of stray dogs in Reservoir Park.
“Many too have expressed their support on the suggestion that people should stop feeding stray dogs in public places,” he said.
In the rural areas and longhouses where the latest operation was been carried out, the residents and dog owners had been very co-operative in getting their dogs vaccinated, he added.
He disclosed that a total of 832 stray dogs and 13 cats had been removed during the operation in Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong districts.
“There had been zero issues raised or obstruction from dog owners, individuals or non-governmental organisations,” he said.
“I am very happy to note that the people in Betong too have been most co-operative to the operation,” he said.
Meanwhile Uggah said Kuching would remain a main battleground in the fight.
“This was because although mopping operations had been carried out in the district, stray dogs were still roaming around in public places like in Reservoir Park,” he said.
On a comment on social media suggesting that the state government adopt measures by the Penang state government in fighting rabies, Uggah said it was impractical.
“First, Penang is an island. But Sarawak shares a long and porous common border with Kalimantan, Indonesia from where the disease is believed to have spread.
“Secondly, although the then Chief Minister had ordered for all dogs to be removed the order was rescinded on the second day after a public outcry,” Uggah said.
He also said the culture was very different in the state, especially among the native people, who rear dogs to hunt and for security reasons.
On the next phase of operation, Uggah said the Sixth Phase covering Sibu, Kanowit and Kapit Districts will be held from August 28 to September 4.
This will be followed by the Seventh Phase from September 5 to 12 in Saratok, Sarikei, Meradong and Julau Districts.
Present at the meeting this morning were the state deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar, State Security and Enforcement Unit director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung and Sarawak Veterinary Services Department director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud. — DayakDaily
