KUCHING: All plantation owners in the state will have to report on the total number of dogs belonging to their workers and including stray ones, present in their premises.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas announced this new strategy in the ongoing fight against the rabies outbreak today when chairing a post mortem meeting for the Fifth Phase of the Anti Rabies Operation From July 31 to Aug 4 covering the Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong Districts recently.
He said the owners are given a month notice from today to submit the reports to their respective State Veterinary Services Department divisional office.
He said those plantations near the state’s border with Kalimantan in Indonesia must particularly comply with this directive.
“At the same time, all Immigration and Customs officers manning all state exit or entry points must ensure no dogs are brought in from Kalimantan by owners or workers.
“The same directive goes to our Marine Police and other enforcement agencies providing security coverage along our coastline,“ he said.
In the operation done in Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong districts he disclosed that a total of 832 stray dogs and 13 cats had been removed.
“There had been zero issue raised or obstruction from dog owners, individuals or non-governmental organisation,“ he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah who is the chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee said Kuching would remain a main battle ground in the fight.
This was because although moping operation had been carried out in the district, stray dogs were still roaming around in public places like in the Reservoir Park, he said.
On a comment in the social media suggesting that the government adopted what the Penang state government had done in fighting the rabies outbreak, Uggah said they were simply impractical.
“First Penang is an island. But Sarawak shares a long and porous common border with Kalimantan, Indonesia from where the disease is believed to have spread.
“Secondly, although the Chief Minister had ordered for all dogs to be removed the order was rescinded on the second day after a public outcry,“ Uggah said.
He also said the culture was very different in the state, especially among the native people, who reared dogs to hunt and for security reason.
On the next phase of operation, Uggah said the Sixth Phase to cover Sibu, Kanowit and Kapit Districts will be held from Aug 28 to Sept 4.
This will be followed by the Seventh Phase from Sept 5 to 12 in Saratok, Sarikei, Meradong and Julau Districts. — Bernama
