Health Ministry wants 'zero stray dogs' policy at rabies-infected areas

Officers from the Kuching health office handing out flyers on rabies to residents at Taman Alamanda Indah. It was declared as rabies-infected on Monday aftear a sample from a dog in the area tested positive for the virus. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

IPOH: The Health Ministry wants a zero stray dogs policy at all rabies gazetted areas, says Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.

He said this was one way to control the disease from spreading to other areas, and to protect the public.

"All dogs need to have owners or be adopted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA),” he told a press conference at Taman Botani here on Thursday (Jan 31).

“If the animals are not under the care of anyone or NGOs, then they will be put down," he said.

“It is necessary to do so as stray dogs are prone to carry the rabies virus as they are not vaccinated,” he added.