KUCHING: Pet dogs in rabies-infected areas of Sarawak are not allowed to roam freely and must be vaccinated or risk being caught and put to sleep in the latest strengthening of measures to fight the disease, says the authorities.
They will step up enforcement of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, which makes it an offence for dogs to roam freely or be brought out of a rabies-infected area without written permission from the State Veterinary Authority.
This was decided at a rabies eradication strategy meeting on Friday (Aug 24) by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.
Those found guilty can be fined RM5,000 or jailed up to three months or both, the committee said in a statement.
“The operation to eradicate rabies will be further strengthened with assistance from the police, Armed Forces, General Operations Force, and Road Transport Department.
“This is for more effective control over the movement of stray dogs in rabies-infected areas,” the committee said.
The committee added that dog owners must ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies in infected areas.
“Failure to do so is an offence under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, punishable by a fine of up to RM2,500.
“Dogs caught without proof of anti-rabies vaccination can be detained and destroyed,” it said.
In addition, the committee said the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and the state Veterinary Department will carry out operations to remove roaming dogs in Tabuan Jaya, Tabuan Tranquillity, Stutong, BDC, Tabuan Heights, Stampin and Hakka Avenue throughout next month.
This includes removing licensed and unlicensed dogs found wandering in these areas, it said.
A mass vaccination exercise for dogs will be held at MBKS' Dewan Masyarakat here on Saturday (Aug 25) from 10am to 2pm.
A dog licensing counter will be available during the exercise.
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