KUCHING: Under the direction of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Miri City Council (MCC) is conducting routine stray dog eradication operations.
This is done after numerous public complaints on stray dogs in the area and as part of rabies prevention by the council.
Since the proclamation of rabies outbreaks in Sarawak on July 1, 2017 there have been 33 cases with 31 deaths, including two fatalities this year.
Dog owners are reminded that they must license and vaccinate their dogs as well as confining them to their own respective compounds in order to protect themselves, their family members and the general public, especially in the event that their pets become infected while going out and about.
“All dogs roaming in public places, regardless of whether they are licensed or vaccinated, are to be handled as stray dogs. This is to ensure the safety of the general public, following complaints about stray dogs causing nuisance to them, such as chasing humans and causing noise pollution.
“MCC has stringent SOPs in place pertaining to removing stray dogs. These include tranquilising them and put them down compassionately.”
MCC on Monday morning conducted a normal stray dog removal operation at the parking lots near Boulevard Trading in Taman Tunku in Miri.
Five stray dogs were tranquillised during the procedure and four were later put down, while one stray dog, later identified as Xiao Bai by its owner, managed to flee.
Xiao Bai was later discovered dead. The reason of death could have been due to the animal’s low resistance to the tranquilliser.
The owner admitted that she had earlier on received advance written notice informing her to obtain a licence for her two dogs and to keep them within her compound.
Miri City Council wishes to express its apologies for the loss of canine lives that could have been spared, despite the fact that it is carrying out its obligation to protect the safety and lives of Miri residents.
