KUCHING: Stage three of the rabies operation will take place in Kuching District from April 22 to May 3.
This was announced at the Rabies Awareness Programme held at the MBKS Auditorium Hall, here yesterday.
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) Superintendent Ang Seow Aun said, “We take this matter seriously as it involves state security. The rabies threat is now at level two; the diseases has affected various districts in Sarawak.”
He added that according to section 37 – 40 of the Veterinary Ordinance, “we have the right to conduct this operation.”
Ang said police reports had been lodged on the operation lately, particularly the “operation approach in the culling of dogs in the infected zones.”
He added, “It is their right as citizens to lodge such reports but the public should be aware that the threat is serious and lives are at stake.”
He also pointed out that based on the public reactions to the operation, there had been a lot of feedback from the public through the social media.
“Actually, the government has already implemented six strategies to eliminate the rabies threat and culling is one of it,” he pointed out.
Ang also described the public responses to the rabies threat as “disappointing”.
“There have been a lot of vaccination programmes since the start of the epidemic on July 1, 2018 but the public were not responsive enough.
“Among 100 pet owners, maybe around five owners only came to the rabies vaccination programmes. After we culled the population of the strays, the public responses were faster,” he added.
About 200 people attended yesterday’s Rabies Awareness Programme. Besides Ang, the other speakers were Senior Veterinary Officer from the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Dr Nicholas Jenek and Medical Officer from the Sarawak Health Department Dr Muhammad Danial Salim.
