KUCHING: All plantation owners in Sarawak will have to report to the authorities the exact number of dogs they have, including those belonging to their workers as well as strays in their areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (pic) announced this new strategy in the ongoing fight against rabies yesterday when chairing a meeting for the July 31-Aug 4 anti-rabies operation covering Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong districts.
He said the owners would be given a month (from yesterday) to submit the reports to their respective Veterinary Services Department divisional offices.
He said those plantations near the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia must particularly
comply with this directive.
“At the same time, all Immigration and Customs officers manning all state exit/entry points must ensure no dogs are brought in from Kalimantan, Indonesia by owners or workers.
“The same directive goes out to our Marine police and other enforcement agencies providing security coverage along our coastline,” he stated.
Uggah, who is the chairman of the State Disaster Mangement Committee, was glad to note that the people had now better understood the seriousness of the rabies threat.
“Even those non-governmental bodies, which used to complain against the operations, are less vocal now.”
He said he had received a WhatsApp message from a member of the public, who informed him on the presence of stray dogs at the popular Reservoir Park.
“Many too have expressed their support to the suggestion that people should stop feeding stray dogs in public places.”
In all rural areas and longhouses where the latest operation had been carried out, the people and dog owners had been very cooperative. In operations 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.
“I am very happy to note that the people in Betong too have been most cooperative,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah said Kuching would remain a main battleground in the fight.
This was because although moping operations had been carried out in the district, stray dogs are still roaming around in public places.
On a social media comment suggesting that the state government adopt what the Penang state government had done, Uggah said this was simply not practical.
“Firstly, Penang is an island. Sarawak shares a long and porous common border with Kalimantan, Indonesia from where the disease is believed to have spread from.
“Secondly, although the then 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 reasons.
On the next phase of operations, Uggah said the Sixth Phase would cover Sibu, Kanowit and Kapit districts 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.
Also present at the meeting were Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar M. M. Sree, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung and Sarawak Veterinary Services Department Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.
