By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, July 26: Assistant Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil says there is no by-law prohibiting members of the public from feeding stray animals, such as dogs.
He, however, pointed out that if there is such necessity or any request from anyone, the Local Government Ministry is willing to table a cabinet paper for the by-laws to be erected.
“We have to listen to the public. If there is such a request, we will look into it. And if after studies, we believe that the request is justified, then we will table a cabinet paper.
“The matter will then be discussed in the cabinet. Once the cabinet approves it and it is gazetted, the by-law can take effect,” Penguang told DayakDaily today.
He highlighted that anyone can make such a proposal including members of the public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through local councils, or if local councils deemed it were to be necessary, the local councils may also propose it on their own initiatives.
Penguang was responding to the issue of whether there is a by-law prohibiting the feeding of strays in public places.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has today urged all relevant authorities to look into the by-laws to see if any action could be taken against those feeding stray dogs in public places.
This measure came following seven cases of dog attacks at the Reservoir Park which caused the Sarawak government to consider a special operation against strays in different parts of Kuching including Reservoir Park and other major towns in Sarawak.
All the dogs involved in the seven dog bite cases at Reservoir Park were believed to be stray dogs.
The outbreak of rabies that started from rural part of Sarawak has now spread to the town areas.
It is also believed that stray dogs has been the cause for rabies to continue to be spread across different parts of Sarawak.— DayakDaily
