SIBU: Members of Sibu Animal Rescue Society, deeply concerned by the number of deaths from rabies, have not only put in hard work but also spent their own money to rid the streets of stray dogs.
Spokesperson Joyce Yong, speaking at a joint press conference with Pelawan assemblyman David Wong yesterday, said their task was not only tough but dangerous as they were at risk of being bitten by rabid strays.
Also at the press conference was a representative from Sarawak Dogs Training Academy, Lucas Lau.
So far, 19 deaths have been reported in Sarawak due to rabies.
“Each time we go out, even at night, we have to worry about our safety as we might become victims,” she said.
She also said they had been spending their own money to vaccinate strays.
Meanwhile, Wong, who praised the Sarawak government’s effort in combating rabies, wanted the state government to also consider spaying female strays.
“A female dog can easily produce more than six puppies at one time. If we don’t spay the female, the population of stray dogs will continue to increase,” he said.
On public complaints about authorities entering house compounds without a warrant to catch dogs suspected of carrying rabies, he said under Section 37 (4) of Sarawak Veterinary Health Ordinance, they had the right to do so.
“Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also State Disaster Relief Committee chairman, had recently announced that the state had entered the second stage of the rabies disaster. His statement has triggered Section 37 (4) of the Ordinance,” he said.
Wong said this meant that enforcement officers could enter a house if the gate is open to catch and destroy dogs suspected of having rabies.
On the targeted 70 per cent of 200,000 dogs to be vaccinated, Wong said the state was still far from the target.
