The free mass anti-rabies vaccination programme at Taman Kenari, Kemuyang.
SIBU: Pet owners here should get their dogs vaccinated and not assume they are free from rabies.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Robert Lau gave this advice when met by reporters at the sideline of the ‘Jualan Sentuhan Rakyat’ at Daesco Hypermarket here yesterday.
“Your pet dog has a risk of contracting the rabies virus, which puts your family at risk also. So those who keep dogs, be careful – get them vaccinated,” Lau said.
Lau, who is also assisting with Sibu Rabies Control working committee, reminded those bitten by their pet dogs to seek immediate medical attention. He said this is no laughing matter as rabies is a deadly disease.
“If your pet dog bites you, don’t assume it is free from rabies. After a dog is injected with vaccine, it takes 28 days for the vaccine to be effective and to produce antibodies,” he said.
Lau recalled a vaccination exercise at one of the centres here recently where a woman confided that her son had been bitten by their pet dog. He advised her to send her son to hospital for vaccination.
He was pleased to note the good turnout in town areas for the free mass anti-rabies vaccination. After completing the exercise at Taman Kenari Kemuyang here yesterday, the team will go to the outskirts and longhouses. He said those who miss the programme in town areas will have to go to private veterinary clinics.
“We will look into doing another round after we have covered all rural areas,” he said.
On the stray removal operation, he said more than 500 roaming dogs had been removed from the streets in Sibu Jaya and Kanowit areas since the exercise started on Jan 20. Samples taken from canines caught in Sibu division had been sent to Kuala Lumpur to check for presence of rabies virus.
“No sample tested positive so far, but one has to be vigilant always,” he advised.
Lau warned that under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, it is an offence for pet owners to let their dogs out.
Meanwhile a total of 115 dogs belonging to 72 owners were vaccinated at Kemuyang from 9am to 2.30pm yesterday.
The free mass anti-rabies vaccination exercise will be held at Rh Andrewson, Sekuau from 9am to 4pm tomorrow (Feb 12).
For information about the programme’s location, call 013-8077964 or 084-310808.