KUCHING: The public is urged to avoid making speculations about the Sarawak Integrated Rabies Enforcement Operation which is being actively carried out from April 29 to May 3.
This is because the actions of some people who took pictures and videos of enforcement officers on duty and uploaded them to social media did not only disrupt the operation but also created a negative perception about it.
The Sarawak Integrated Rabies Enforcement Operation is carried out under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, 1999 which requires owners to register and vaccinate their pet dogs.
In addition, any capture of dogs made during the operation are done with the permission of dog owners who failed to provide any documents as prove to keep the dogs at home.
Meanwhile, stray dogs without owners are also caught and placed in animal enclosures to prevent the spread of Rabies.
This is in line with the Sarawak government’s stance to achieve zero Rabies cases by 2030.
Therefore, the public is urged to provide full cooperation in ensuring the success of the Sarawak Integrated Rabies Enforcement Operation.
A dog owner, Ong Su Bing when met during the operation called on dog owners to ensure that their pet dogs are vaccinated.
“I advise all dog owners to vaccinate their dogs immediately. Operations like this are positive because they bring awareness to the community," he explained.
Meanwhile, Dina Chong advised dog owners to always ensure that their pet dogs are tied or kept in the house so as not to cause problems to others.
"Dog owners should keep their dogs inside their homes if they are not on a leash so that the dogs don't roam the streets, bite people and cause Rabies.
"I hope that everyone can cooperate on this matter," she said. -UKASnews
