More than 300 dog bites reported a month, committee looks into possibility of charging people feeding stray dogs in public places
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah
KUCHING: State Disaster Management Committee is looking into the possibility of taking action against people who feed stray dogs in public places.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, in suggesting this after chairing a State Disaster Management Committee meeting yesterday morning, wanted the police, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, and local councils to find out if there are laws against giving food to stray dogs.
“We are not against such noble deeds but now with the rabies outbreak, we should stop feeding them otherwise our operation will be compromised,”
“The strays are now becoming a serious threat. For the record, about 300 dog bite cases are recorded statewide each week,” he said, following claims that people had fed stray dogs at Reservoir Park where seven people were bitten earlier this week.
He advised those who wanted to buy puppies must find out where they came from or whether they had been vaccinated, and when the vaccination was last done pointing out the last rabies fatality involved a 27-year-old man who had adopted two puppies from an organisation, and was bitten by one of them.
The victim did not realise the gravity of his situation nor did he seek the recommended treatment until it was too late, he added.
Uggah reminded people who have been bitten not only by dogs, but by cats or monkeys, to wash their wounds under running water for at least 10 minutes, and proceed immediately to the nearest hospital where they would be referred to the Post Dog Bites Clinic for further treatment.
“After office hours, the advice is to approach the hospital’s Emergency Unit. The officer on duty will know what to do for treatment,” he said.
Earlier, Uggah disclosed that one of the four dogs caught at Reservoir Park here has been tested positive for rabies.
He added that seven people, including a five-year-old boy, were bitten by stray dogs at the popular recreation ground earlier this week.
He also said one of the dogs, which was trapped during an operation to capture the strays at the park on Wednesday, was released without the knowledge of the authorities.
“It is sad that one trapped dog was set free by some people,” said Uggah.
The operation was initiated after local authorities received reports about several people being bitten by a stray dog while jogging at the park.
The park has since been closed as dog catchers attempt to trap and capture the strays.
Uggah added that the committee yesterday proposed a special operation to remove stray dogs from public places, and conceded that the dog attack at Reservoir Park was unexpected.
“This is really shocking to us as our previous anti-rabies operation did include the place. Obviously, stray dogs are still there.
“As such the State Disaster Management Committee has come up with this proposal
in addition to the current statewide integrated anti-rabies operation.
“I would also like the police
to identify more such public places not only in Kuching but other big towns as well for our action.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s meeting was meant to co-ordinate the fifth phase
of the integrated anti-rabies operation to be carried out in Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and
Betong districts from July 31 to Aug 3.
State Veterinary Services director Dr Adrian Susin and state Security and Enforcement Unit director Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung were also present at the meeting.