KUCHING: The anti-rabies operations in Padawan District from April 4-8 has been another success.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the operations mounted by 379 officers and other personnel managed to vaccinate 1,331 dogs.
At the same time, some 1,271 strays had been removed, he said after attending a post-mortem meeting on the operation at the Padawan Municipal Council yesterday.
“Our objective was for a 100 per cent vaccination rate for pet dogs and we have achieved 73 per cent.
“We must congratulate all those involved for their success despite the many challenges and issues on the ground,” he said.
Uggah, who is the chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee, said the next round of operations would begin tomorrow in Kota Samarahan before moving to Kuching from April 21 to May 2.
“We have given clear instructions to the teams that our objective is to again have 100 per cent vaccination of pet dogs and to remove strays.
“We also reminded them that there should not be any tranquilising of dogs in house compounds.
“If the team approaches any dogs within the compound, it is for the purpose of vaccination which is in line with our main objective,” he added.
Uggah also added that the co-operation and collaboration of dog owners were important to ensure the fight against rabies would be successful and for Sarawak to be declared free of it soonest.
Earlier, commenting on a video clip on social media depicting the operations team as being trigger happy, ready to shoot on sight with the least of sympathy, he said this was a wrong perception.
“For those with the tendency to criticise or accuse us, please go to the ground and see how the team members do their jobs.
“They have their tasks to accomplish… pet dogs to be vaccinated and strays to be targeted for removal and they have their SOP to follow,” he said.
However, Uggah said he was happy to note most of the people were alert about the operations.
“If you follow the social media postings, many do give us positive remarks which encourage us in our operations,” he said.
In appealing to dog owners to co-operate in having their pets vaccinated, Uggah said, “We are your friends and they are here to vaccinate your dogs and stray dogs are very dangerous.”
He also announced the formation of a social media group to help explain the purpose of the operations and their benefits to the people.
He said they would help to rebut the false accusations made.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Sim Hui Kian who was present, said the anti-rabies operations were very challenging, adding that it was a very important mission for the government.
He said there were still a lot of people who misunderstood this.
Sim, who is the Minister of Local Government and Housing, said the government was not prohibiting people from keeping dogs.
“But keep them within your house compound and get them vaccinated as rabies is a deadly disease.
“Some owners have the perception that if they do not vaccinate their dogs, they will not die.
“On the other hand, if they get them vaccinated, they will die…but then this is a sign the dogs have been infected,” he added.
Sim urged owners to revaccinate their dogs after a year had lapsed after the last vaccination.
Meanwhile, according to DSP Collin Barat, the police had received 12 reports lodged by members of the public in Padawan.
But, he said, only one investigation paper had been opened.
He said a man too had been arrested for trying to obstruct a team from carrying out its duties on April 7 and was released a day later.
“He had taken video clips of them using his handphone, accusing them and using foul language against them for tranquilising a dog which did not wear any vaccination tag,” he said.
Collin added there had been attempts to sabotage the operations in the Stephen Yong road area where nails were strewn on the road leading to a sewerage plant there.
