Penang to proceed with culling of strays to prevent rabies outbreak

BAYAN LEPAS: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he remains firm in his decision for all stray dogs in the state to be captured and culled to counter the rabies outbreak, despite coming under heavy criticism from animal welfare organisations (NGOs) and dog lovers.
Lim said his order for the estimated 2,500 stray dogs in the state to be culled following two cases of rabies in Seberang Prai and Balik Pulau, was made after consulting with experts from the Penang Health Department and the Veterinary Services Department.
"I made the decision based on the advice of experts because there is no other solution to stop the spread of rabies.
"Therefore for the sake of public safety and health, I have no choice but to issue this order," he said during a press conference after attending a signing ceremony of the German Dual Vocational Training Programme between the state government and Penang Skills and Development Centre here today.
Lim said he is ready to accept criticism levelled against him for his decision, adding that those who oppose his decision should consider who would have to take responsibility if the viral disease leads to human deaths.
Meanwhile, Homeless and Orphan Pets Exists (H.O.P.E.) condemned the order in a Facebook post.
H.O.P.E. said culling stray dogs was not a solution to preventing the spread of rabies.

The organisation also called on the public, especially dog lovers, to temporarily house stray dogs to protect them from the mass culling.
Dog lover Yee Chee Huan, 35, said he hoped the state government could find another solution to tackling the rabies outbreak.
"We can check the dog's health condition first and vaccinate it," said the IT programmer.
On Thursday, Lim declared Penang to be a rabies-infected area.
A Rabies-Infected Area (Penang) Order 2015 is deemed to have come into force on Sept 15, where all stray dogs will be put to sleep.
The order also states that all dogs must be quarantined within state borders, unless written consent is obtained from the state veterinary department director.
Furthermore, all owners of dogs, aged three months and above, are required to have their pets vaccinated and tagged. All pet dogs are also to be kept indoors and caged, and must be on a leash for walks.
Malaysia's last case of rabies was in 1999 and the World Organisation for Animal Health declared the country rabies free in 2012.