KUCHING: The Reservoir Park here will remain closed until the area’s safety is confirmed.
This followed attacks by vicious stray dogs on joggers recently.
Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai cautioned members of the public not to visit the popular recreation ground until all the stray dogs have been caught.
According to him, the closure was to enable the authorities to carry out an operation to hunt for stray dogs starting yesterday after a jogger was bitten on Tuesday.
“We tried to catch five stray dogs last week, but they managed to escape. And failing to catch all the stray dogs, our last resort is to close the area until all the dogs are caught,” he said to reporters at the 13th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (Apoc13) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
Abang Wahap also advised the public to refrain from feeding stray dogs.
“The situation has become serious as there are many stray dogs there ever since a woman has been feeding them.
“If you feel sorry, just take them as pets,” he said, adding that his men had warned the woman, but to no avail.
He said the operation might have to resort to shooting with tranquiliser guns.
“For now, we will set up trap cages at various strategic points,” he said, adding the operation would involve Kuching South City Council (MKBS), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), State Health Department and State Veterinary Department.
On Tuesday morning, a man was rushed to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for treatment after he was bitten by a dog while jogging.
The dog was captured and tests are being conducted by the Sarawak Veterinary Department to determine if it is rabid or not
Although the Health Department confirmed only one jogger was bitten, there were claims on social media that others had been attacked before.
The rabies outbreak in Sarawak has claimed 18 lives since two years ago. With a staggering 63 areas gazetted as rabies-infected, the state government has declared a Level 2 disaster.
