KOTA KINABALU: The Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) is stepping up efforts to address the district’s growing stray dog population, with more than 360 dogs captured in March alone — triple the usual monthly figure.
Council president Walter Kenson said the surge came after the council intensified its enforcement operations.
“Before this, we were catching around 100 dogs a month. But in March, after stepping up our efforts, we caught over 360,” he said when contacted after a discussion held with Sandakan SPCA on Thursday (April 24).
He said the council is now working on an integrated approach to manage the issue more effectively.
This includes relocating captured and neutered dogs to areas where the stray population is lower, strengthening adoption efforts to ease the burden on Sandakan SPCA's already overloaded shelter, and encouraging plantation owners to adopt strays as guard dogs.
In addition, SMC will be working closely with veterinary professionals to handle dogs suffering from serious or contagious diseases.
This includes implementing humane euthanasia procedures where necessary, particularly to prevent the risk of rabies outbreaks.
The meeting was also attended by Tanjong Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung and his special officer Liau Fui Fui, who both stressed the importance of compassion-driven, community-based solutions.
Poon highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the local community to address the issue holistically.
