Who let the dog out? Sarawak plans a law for that

 

A deputy minister in Sarawak says dog owners must keep their pets within their compounds to avoid contracting rabies.

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak authorities are to look at amending local council by-laws to better tackle pet owners who continually let their dogs out despite repeated reminders.

Housing and local government second deputy minister Michael Tiang said details of such a law and effective enforcement need to be looked into.

He said a legal team would look into how to amend the existing by-laws and whether it can be enforced, Borneo Post quoted him as saying.

Tiang said education was also important to emphasise the danger of letting pets roam free. He said Sibu has the highest number of rabies cases in the state.

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“Every dog owner must take responsibility to keep their pets within house compounds to avoid contracting rabies from other dogs,” he said.

On Monday, a six-year-old girl in Sibu sustained serious facial injuries after she was attacked by a suspected rabid dog while playing in front of her house.

Department of veterinary services Sarawak director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud said the dog – which has died – exhibited symptoms indicative of rabies. - FMT