KUCHING: The State Disaster Management Committee chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said stray dogs and cats at the border would be caught for removal in order to control the spread of rabies in Sarawak.
Uggah who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, called for all pet owners near the border to bring their pets for anti-rabies vaccination so that the disease would be controlled. He added that pet owners could be fined RM2,500 under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 if they do not vaccinate their pets. The police will also set up roadblocks at rabies-infected areas to prevent any animals from being transferred.
Anyone caught will face an offence under Section 37(3) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries a fine not more than RM2,500 or jail term not more than two months, or both. For those who want to move any animals from rabies infected area, they can only do so if they have a permit from the State Veterinary Department.
In the meantime, Uggah added that no dogs or cats are allowed to cross the neighbouring border and the Malaysian Armed Forces will monitor the situation. The state government has issued a directive to bar the entry of imported dogs and cats which are brought in without written consent or permit import issued by the State Veterinary Controller.
Those caught doing so without a permit can be charged under Section 9 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries the fine up to RM50,000 or jail term not more than six months, or both.
Animals brought in with the import permit must undergo quarantine for a month if they are from Peninsular Malaysia while those from other countries have to be quarantined for four months. Those imported from rabies-free countries, certified by the World Organisation for Animal Health, will be exempted from the quarantine.
