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A nine-year-old pet Shih Tzu named Lucky was vaccinated and had its microchip and licence checked by Veterinary Department personnel during the programme.
KOTA SAMARAHAN (March 7): Dogs found roaming outside their owners’ home compounds here will be seized and will not be returned to their owners if complaints are received, said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali.
He said the measure is part of stricter enforcement to curb the spread of rabies, particularly following a recent fatal case reported in the area.
“Even if the dog is licensed but it is left outside the gate and we receive complaints, when we catch it we will take it away and the owner cannot take it back. Because of such cases, we have to be very strict,” he told reporters when met during the Walkabout Anti-Rabies Vaccination Programme, Licensing, Microchip and Rabies Health Education at UniCentral Recreation Park here on Saturday.
Abang Ismawi noted that under existing by-laws, dog owners who fail to license their pets may face a compound of up to RM2,500.
On this note, he urged dog owners to take responsibility by ensuring their pets are properly licensed and vaccinated.
Abang Ismawi (fourth right) and others show a leaflet on the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Programme at UniCentral Recreation Park in Kota Samarahan on Saturday.
“Today we are offering free licensing for the year 2026 and the licence will be valid for three years,” he said.
The programme, organised under the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), involved several agencies including the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services, the State Health Department and MPKS.
“The Veterinary Department provides free vaccination, while the Health Department gives explanations on what should be done if a bite occurs,” he said.
Abang Ismawi said the anti-rabies campaign is focusing on areas within a 10-kilometre radius of Kampung Jernang, where the recent fatal rabies case involving a 44-year-old man originated.
The victim died at Sarawak General Hospital on Feb 25.
He added that the programme had been planned earlier as part of MPKS’ regular anti-rabies activities, although the recent incident prompted stronger efforts to promote dog licensing and vaccination.
“This campaign had already been planned earlier as part of our regular activities. When the incident happened, we took the opportunity to encourage owners to come forward for licensing and vaccination,” he said.
Abang Ismawi also extended his condolences to the family of the victim.
“We express our condolences to the family of the victim who passed away, but we have to be strict because if not it won’t stop,” he said.
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