All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies to prevent a public health risk. — Filepic
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) says it is fighting a losing battle against dog bites as the number of cases remain high.
“But we are continuing to fight,” said its chairman Clarence Ting.
In his address at the council’s full board meeting, Ting said there were 538 reported dog bite cases in town in August.
“About 400 of the cases involved family dogs,” he said, noting that 138 cases involved strays.
“This situation is quite serious and seems to be getting worse,” he added.
In August, the local council managed to catch 110 dogs, and Ting had ordered SMC’s dog-catching team to continue taking action.
However, he admitted that without holding dog owners accountable, these efforts might not be effective as the number of cases would continue to rise.
Ting urged dog owners to be more responsible.
“First, they should not allow their dogs to roam freely.
“Second, if they take their dogs out, the by-law requires that dogs must be on a leash.
“Third, dog owners must obtain a licence.
“Fourth, dogs should be neutered to prevent over-breeding and to reduce the number of strays.
“Lastly, vaccination is crucial as it prevents rabies,” he said.
Ting warned that the virus could spread among residents if left uncontrolled.
“In August, a young girl in Bintulu died from the disease.
“Between Bintulu and Kuching this year, we have already seen several rabies cases,” he said.
