SIBU: Members of the public are voicing grave concern over dogs roaming freely scavenging for food and posing as a threat to their safety.
According to the local authorities, some 60 dogs are caught monthly and certainly a cause for concern as these animals may be riddled with diseases.
Five ferocious dogs in Langsat Lane here attacked a 77-year-old man who was walking to his elder sister’s house on Tuesday, sparking fears that the pack may pounce on any passers-by.
When contacted yesterday, a senior private medical practitioner Dr Hu Chang Hock cautioned that there was always the risk of infection associated with stray dogs’ bites.
“The most worrying among them is rabies – a virus that can attack the nervous system and all other systems in the body, which could be fatal in severe cases.
“At times, tetanus injection is administered to patients, including antibiotics for infection, but the main concern is rabies,” Dr Hu said.
He, however, said rabies was rare in the world and had never come across any case in the country.
But even so, in western countries, dogs were given rabies vaccination.
Asked on rabies vaccination for humans, he said this is only available in government hospitals.
“Whenever anyone is bitten by a dog, he or she must seek immediate medical attention. In private clinics, we would clean the wound and administer an injection. If necessary, to bandage the wound and prescribe antibiotics,” Dr Hu said.
He added that elderly folk, who had other health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, liver or kidney problems, and given their weakened immunity system, must seek immediate medical attention when bitten by a dog.
Sibu Municipal Council deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng disclosed that they are continuing with their regular rounds of catching stray dogs.
“About 60 stray dogs are caught a month and this shows the apathy of our people, which is most regrettable. If you don’t take care of the dogs, please do not keep them, otherwise, you are adding problems to society.”
Dogs let loose on the streets can be dangerous as there have been several dog attacks this year in the peninsula.
In March, in Bukit Mertajam, a seven-year-old girl was attacked by her neighbour’s dog while she was cycling with a friend outside her home in Lorong Bandar Timur 9 at Bandar Perda.
The bite left her with deep gashes on her buttocks and back.
In the same month, a boy received 20 stitches on his left calf after he was attacked by three hungry dogs while playing football at a public field in Sungai Lalang, Sungai Petani.
In May, a dog mauled an elderly jogger to death near his house in Subang Jaya.