Veterinary Services Sarawak, Dr.
Adrian Susin Ambud. PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI
KUCHING: The Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia will be sending a team of four officers next week to assist the State Veterinary Services Department in its rabies control efforts. Director of the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, Dr. Adrian Susin Ambud, when contacted yesterday, disclosed that the federal veterinary services team would be arriving here on Monday.
“Just now, I was told four officers will be coming next week.
After one week, another team will be coming. They will be here on rotation basis and assisting us in our revaccination programme in Serian,” he disclosed. Dr. Adr ian said the Stat e Veterinary Services Department covered 296 villages in Serian between July and December last year and this year. It hopes to cover these villages in Serian again.
“Besides Serian, we will also be doing the rabies vaccination in Kuching,” he disclosed, adding that about RM700,000 was spent on vaccinating 70,000 dogs last year.
“To control rabies, we have no other option. We have to vaccinate all the dogs and control the number of stray dogs,” he said. Dr. Adrian stressed that dog owners and pet owners must ensure their dogs and pets were vaccinated against rabies according to section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. Any person who fails to comply will face a penalty fine not exceeding RM2,500.
“After their pets are vaccinated, the owners must ensure that the animals do not stray or are let loose. It is an offence if the dogs are let loose under section 37(3) Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 ; owners in the rabies infected areas can be fined up to RM2,500,” he said. Dr. Adrian said the last time the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia sent a team of officers every week to assist Sarawak was last May. He said last year, a team from Sabah with their own vehicle also came to help.
“In conclusion, we would like to thank the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ministry of Local Government & Housing (MLGH) and Department of Veterinary Services Sabah for assisting the state to control and eradicate rabies in Sarawak,” Dr. Adrian added.
