Multi-agency approach ideal to contain rabies: Wee

KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety and balancing animal and human welfare.

Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng in this instance expressed his gratitude to Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom for declaring Kuching and Bintulu Divisions as rabies infected areas.

This is seen as strengthening a multi-agency approach towards control of the disease and the provisions available for enforcing compulsory vaccinations and animal control.

“An emergency of this scale requires a coordinated approach. Hence my recent calls for the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) or a similar oversight body to take the lead.

“I am grateful to the Minister for shouldering this burden. The Ministry is best placed to bring together all the important elements, including civil society, the city council, experts and veterinary professionals,” he said in a statement.

Having said that, he vowed that MBKS will continue to take its role very seriously as they have systems in place to deal with the stray population.

“We continue our vaccination programmes and information campaigns. As the recent incident makes clear, council staff are responsive to emergency reports and willing to take the necessary action against dogs which display signs and symptoms of this disease.

“I would like to ask any owners whose dogs show behavioural changes to call the authorities immediately. Please do not let your dogs leave the compound. Most importantly, get them vaccinated,” he reminded.

He also pointed out that the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has plans to establish a facility under it to support animal welfare.

According to him, there are two acres of land which have already been allocated for this by the Sarawak government and final planning approval should be out soon.

“This is another example of the vital collaboration between civil society and government which allows for full utilisation of the most qualified people in Sarawak and beyond.

“However, as anyone actually in government should know, facilities of this type take time as they require a process of information gathering and due diligence,” he said.

As such, Wee stated that MBKS is looking forward to working closely with SSPCA and the ministry as the response to rabies develops further.

“In the meantime, I renew my commitment to the citizens of MBKS. Any dog roaming free on the streets will be dealt with humanely, according to the situation and following advice from professionals.

“If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the dog is rabid or a danger to human safety, then we will exercise our powers to contain that threat. Far from nonfeasance of our duty, we will take the necessary action.

“Once again, we thank the Ministry for confirming that no pet dogs should be unattended outside the compound. This clarifies the remit of the council to act considerably. We hope that all pet owners will take note. Together we can make this terrible disease a thing of the past in our state,” he said.