By ABANG FARID ABANG TAHA
KUCHING: The new Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws 2018 seeks to ensure a more effective control over the dog population in the state.
As of late, talk of another method regarding this is microchip implanting.
Microchip implanting is not a new thing. It has been introduced for quite some time now throughout the world.
The microchip is like the size of a rice grain. It is so small that the implant will not be fatal to the animal at all.
The implant uses a method the same as a vaccination shot. Just a small poke to insert the microchip around the neck area of a dog.
The usage of the microchip implant is for collecting various data and rabies vaccination shots yearly.
Some microchip implants have a tracker so the owner can track the dog via smartphone applications.
Since July 2017, rabies has plagued Sarawak.
In order to contain the disease, the state government has introduced programmes and prevention plans.
Dog owners need to understand the control by-laws better to be more responsible with their pets.
“Prevention programmes are a way to counter the rabies outbreak. The control by-laws is a good implementation alerting dog owners to really be responsible once you adopt a pet,” said graphic designer Alicia Lee.
“Having a microchip implant on a dog is quite effective and efficient as it could help prevent (the spread of) rabies.”
A post-graduate student, Marvin, had this to say: “If there’s a prevention programme on rabies for dog owners, the government should implement it as soon as possible.”
“This control by-laws and the prevention programme on rabies are for our own safety as a community.”
He hoped that the state government would create more awareness about their programmes and the people to be alert and educate themselves on the matter.
A pet owner, who requested anonymity, said he supported rabies prevention programmes from Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“The microchip implant on dogs is an efficient way to help monitor and curb rabies,” he said.
