KOTA KINABALU: Authorities in Sabah are taking steps to control the stray dog population and the Deputy Chief Minister assures that the approaches will be humane.
“We cannot allow stray dogs to roam freely without intervention. While there are various ways to manage the situation, we must ensure that any approach taken is humane,” said Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
His statement follows a tragic incident in Sabah’s east coast district of Kunak, where an elderly woman was mauled by 11 stray dogs around 1.50am on Jan 25.
CCTV at a bus terminal recorded the woman falling and attempting to fend off the dogs with her hands before being overwhelmed.
Her body was later found with multiple dog bites on her hands, head, chest, waist and legs.
Dr Gunsalam, who is also Sabah Housing and Local Government Minister, expressed the government's commitment to addressing this issue responsibly.
“While we have yet to receive the official report on the Kunak incident, we are doing our best to control the stray dog population throughout Sabah,” he said, adding the government is collaborating with the Sabah Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has held a series of meetings to devise a solution.
With stray dogs increasingly causing disturbances and posing risks to public safety, Dr Gunsalam emphasised the need for sensitive and ethical approaches to population control.
“We need to strike a balance. The welfare of the animals is important, and we must always consider the ethical implications of our decisions,” he said.
Residents and animal advocates are calling for sustainable solutions to prevent further attacks and enhance the quality of life for both humans and animals.
