MCC, DVS to jointly run anti-rabies vaccination, dog-licensing, microchipping drive in Miri this weekend

MIRI (July 30): The Miri City Council (MCC) is collaborating with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in holding an ‘Anti-Rabies Mass Vaccination, Dog Licensing and Microchipping’ programme, to be taking place this Aug 3 and 4 at the parking area of Taman Tunku Market here.

According to the council, the programme sets out to encourage owners to vaccinate their pet dogs, as well as for them to obtain dog licences and microchips for the animals.

“Do not forget to bring your identification cards for registration, and do keep your dogs on leash during the vaccination process.

“If the dogs are known to be wary of strangers or aggressive, the owners should put muzzles on the dogs.

“After vaccination, the owners are to quarantine and isolate their dogs for 28 days, to allow the dogs to build immunity against rabies.

“It is also important that owners must keep their dogs within their home compounds at all times,” said MCC in a statement, stressing that all dogs in Sarawak must be vaccinated against rabies, in accordance with the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Order.

“Any owner or person in charge of a dog who fails, without any reasonable cause, to comply with the Order, shall be guilty of an offence, punishable by a fine of not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 40(7) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.

“Dogs without evidence of vaccination may be detained or removed, under the provision of this Section, by the DVS Sarawak,” it added.

Anyone who allows a pet dog roam freely on the streets would be liable to a fine not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 37(5)(a) of the same Ordinance, said MCC.

“Under this Ordinance, any dog owner must keep the dog under effective control either by confining it within an enclosed area from which it is impossible for the dog to escape, or tying it up securely, or leading it by a chain or lead of strong cord or leather properly secured to a collar, or harness being put on the dog.

“The local authority may seize and impound any dog that is not on a leash in accordance with the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-Laws 2018,” said the council.