KUCHING: Clear instruction has been given that dogs inside house compounds will not be removed by the authorities.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said while the state is currently combating the spread of rabies, he said there would be no targeted removal of dogs that are within house compounds.
“Dogs that are confined to house compounds should be vaccinated and should not be shot,” he told reporters when met after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak Agriculture Department and Earthlings Coffee Workshop Sdn Bhd at Kuching Old Courthouse Auditorium, yesterday.
Uggah, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee chairman, was asked to comment on a recent viralled video showing enforcement officers tranquilising a dog in a house compound.
“I have seen the video. It is being investigated and I am waiting for the post-mortem report by April 9,” he said.
He then said as Sarawak’s rabies emergency has reached level-two, special anti-rabies operations are carried out in Lundu, Bau, Padawan, and Kota Samarahan areas.
“As the emergency has been declared, we are able to mobilise all agencies including the military, police, local government, state security, and health department,” he said.
“Our objective is to have all dogs within the areas of operation vaccinated, and at the same time carry out targeted removal of stray dogs.”
He mentioned in Lundu and Bau, 91 per cent of the dogs has been vaccinated, and 1,700 stray dogs were removed. An operation is going on in Padawan. After that, the next area to be covered is Kota Samarahan.
“It is a very challenging operation but we try to operate in as friendly a manner as possible.
“I really appreciate my men who are facing various problems on the ground, and I’m happy to know that the majority of the people are supporting us,” he said.
When asked to comment on rabid cats, Uggah said a few thousand cats have been vaccinated in Serian area.
“We have also vaccinated cats within 10km radius of the infected area. Cats are different from dogs as not many are found outside,” he said.
“But I must warn cat owners to be careful if their cats look sort of funny and sickly. Please, report such cases immediately to the veterinary department.”
He again urged members of the public not to take chances, but go to a hospital to get treated if they have been bitten either a dog or cat.
