By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 14: One rabies-positive case involving a dog was reported at Jalan Setia Raja here this week, revealed Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
Wee said the case, which involved a stray dog biting a person, underscores the dangers of rabies and the urgent need for responsible pet ownership.
“To curb the spread of rabies, we will hold a free mass vaccination programme on Sept 20 at Dewan Masyarakat Kuching. This will be our third round this year, followed by a fourth on Oct 4 at Taman Seng Goon (Seng Goon Indoor Basketball Court),” he announced during his weekly ShallWeeTalk Facebook live session yesterday (Sept 13).
He reminded pet owners that under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, those who fail to vaccinate their dogs can face a RM1,000 compound.
“Rabies vaccination is not a one-off. It must be administered every year. There is no excuse not to vaccinate, especially when it is free,” he stressed.
Wee emphasised that continuous vaccination drives, organised in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak, are part of ongoing efforts to break the chain of rabies transmission and safeguard public health. — DayakDaily
