Large-scale op to capture stray dogs launched in Batu Pahat following child attack

 

The Johor state government has launched a large-scale operation to capture stray dogs in the district after a two-year-old girl was attacked by five dogs in Kampung Tambak, Peserai, recently.

Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairperson Fared Khalid said the coordinated operation was carried out to ensure that the stray dogs were free from rabies, thereby easing the concerns of the victim’s family and medical team.

“On behalf of the Johor state government, we have ordered a large-scale operation to capture stray dogs in the area, particularly to identify and ensure that the strays are free from rabies, for the safety of the victim,” he said in a press conference at Sultanah Aminah Hospital today.

He said the Batu Pahat District Office began follow-up capture operations yesterday in collaboration with the Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP), Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and the police.

The follow-up operation followed three jointly conducted operations by MPBP and DVS on Aug 12, 26 and 30, which resulted in the capture of 22 stray dogs. However, the number of strays in the area remained high.

For the operation to be effective, Fared (above) urged the agencies involved not to rely solely on existing methods, but to diversify their approaches, including through monitoring and surveillance.

“Based on the guidance and advice from the parents earlier, we believe that the capture methods must continue to be diversified. I urge the local authorities, district office, municipal council and DVS to use all methods and means available.

“Strategies must be diversified, including monitoring operations, surveillance and any other methods permitted by law,” he said.

He said the stern action would also be expanded to all districts in the state following an instruction by State Housing and Local Government Committee chairperson Jafni Shukor to all local authorities to expedite operations to control stray animals.

Serious injuries

To ease the burden on the victim’s family, Fared said the Johor state government is fully committed to covering all medical and follow-up treatment costs for the victim at HSA, as well as providing counselling services to family members, particularly the victim’s 12-year-old brother who witnessed the incident.

Fared also appealed to the public to delete and stop sharing photographs of the victim on social media to protect the family’s privacy and has sought MCMC’s cooperation to take down related posts.

Earlier, Fared spent time visiting the two-year-old victim, Nur Haira Wafiqah Hamizi, and her family, and received an update on her treatment at HSA.

On Sunday, the media reported the stray dog attack, which left the victim with serious injuries.

The victim’s mother, Nur Wahyuni Harun, 36, said her 12-year-old son was traumatised after witnessing the incident and has been given two weeks’ leave from school to undergo counselling.

She said her youngest daughter remained sedated and had undergone her first surgery to treat the injuries sustained and was still under medical observation.

- Bernama