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MICROCHIPS for dogs. That’s the latest proposal to ensure a more effective control over the dog population in Sarawak and stop the spread of rabies in the state.
Since the declaration of rabies outbreak in the state on June 30, 2017, the number of rabies-infected patients in Sarawak by November 27, 2018 stood at 14.
Out of these, 12 were fatal, one was treated at home with neurology complications while the latest at the Sarawak General Hospital.
As of Nov 25, the Sarawak government had declared 54 areas in 11 of its divisions as rabies-infected zones. Only Limbang is still free from the disease.
Various measures have been taken by the government since June 30, 2017 to curb the spread of the rabies outbreak and control it including free mass anti-rabies vaccination programmes for dogs. Nevertheless, rabies cases continue to emerge now and then.
Dog owners are advised to prevent their pets from mingling with stray dogs and to keep them within the compounds of their houses.
Members of the public are urged by the Health Ministry to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from rabies. The measures included washing away animal saliva from the bite wounds with running water and soap for 15 minutes and seeking immediate medical assistance if they have been bitten by their own dogs or stray dogs, alerting the authorities on the presence of stray dogs and monitoring changes in the behaviour of their pets, especially when the animals turn aggressive.
Recently, Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Datin Dona Drury Wee revealed that the Sarawak government would make it compulsory for microchips, the size of a rice grain, to be implanted in dogs. The project, it is learned, will be implemented by March or April as a pilot project.
Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Datuk James Chan supports the move and sees it as a way to curb the stray dog population in the city.
He pointed out that under the Local Authorities (Dog licensing and Control) By-Laws 2018, the council may require that a dog be implanted with any form of electronic identification and data storage device.
Chan explained that if the ruling was implemented by the Sarawak government, it would require every pet dog or cat to be implanted with a microchip that contained records of both the animal and its owner.
He added the move could prevent irresponsible pet owners from abandoning their animals.
“Perhaps this can be a holistic way to reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets,” said the mayor.
The SSPCA president has said that the microchip plan for dogs will be implemented by March or April as a pilot project. That means very soon. I hope there will be more awareness campaigns on the microchip issue soon to allay fears among pet owners and encourage their participation in the programme.
Personally, as the owner of two dogs, I fully support the idea of micro-chipping my pets.
But where do I get the microchips for my dogs and how much will they cost? Initially, will there be discounts for the microchips to encourage more members of the public to microchip their pets? Perhaps, free micro-chipping programmes can be conducted for dogs in Sarawak.
Some owners may also want to know whether it is painful for microchips to be implanted into their pets.
I have goggled for information about the implant on the Internet and wish to share it with you here.
What is a microchip? It is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip does not have a battery. Instead, it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves emitted by the scanner activate the chip. The chip subsequently transmits its identification number to the scanner, which then shows the number on the screen.
How is the microchip implanted? It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. The process is no more painful than a typical injection. No surgery or anaesthesia is needed to implant the microchip.
What information does the microchip contain? The microchips used in pets only contain identification numbers. The microchip is not a GPS device, so it cannot track your pet if it gets lost.
If you need to know more information about microchips, go and do your research online. You will be amazed at the wealth of information you can access.
If the microchip plan can help end the rabies epidemic in Sarawak, I am all for it.
Since the epidemic first surfaced in 2017, it has been challenging for me and my dogs and presumably other owners and their pets too.
Personally, I yearn for the days when all is quiet and I don’t have to worry about my dogs and the rabies outbreak.
