MBKS to carry out removal of roaming dogs next month

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Stray dogs at a coffee shop. File photo 

 

KUCHING: The Kuching City South Council (MBKS) will carry out their Roaming Dogs Removal Operation from Sept 1 to 30.

According to MBKS mayor Datuk James Chan, the operation is to catch all dogs wandering around MBKS areas, including licensed and unlicensed collared dogs.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference held at MBKS today, he commented that the operation was a directive from the State Disaster Management Committee.

“We will carry out the operation in areas such as Tabuan Jaya, Tabuan Tranquility, Stutong, BDC, Tabuan Heights, Stampin and Hakka Avenue. The reason of this operation is to control the spread of rabies,” he added.

In view of the operation carried out by MBKS, Chan therefore urged members of the public to give full cooperation and understanding to ensure that their dogs are kept within the compound of their houses or premises.

He also hoped that members of the public will never allow their pets, especially dogs, to roam around outside of their houses or premises for now.

“All dogs found roaming around in public areas will be removed and any claims on such dogs will not be entertained. We must do everything we can to help out in controlling the spread of rabies,” he said.

Chan also commented that MBKS is not against groups that are protecting the stray dogs.

This was because MBKS is following the directives of the Disaster Management Committee and he believed that the committee knows what is best to protect the general public health from the threat of rabies.

“I believe this operation will get support from the members of the public as many now know and understand what serious threat that rabies disease can do. MBKS believes that the removal of roaming stray dogs is one of the ways that the disease can be controlled,” he commented.

Apart from MBKS, Chan also believes that other councils are also doing the same as it was a directive from the State Disaster Management Committee.

Also present during the press conference were Ministry of Local Government and Housing public health head Dr Cheong Yaw Liang, Temenggong Tan Joo Phoi and other local community leaders.