SMC advises public to keep pets within their compound

SIBU: Members of the public residing within the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) jurisdiction have been advised to keep their pet cats and dogs within their house compound.
SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said this was a preventive measure to be taken in view of the rabies outbreak in Kuching, Serian and Sri Aman divisions.
“I would also like to advise the public not to bring back any pets from the declared rabies infected areas and to seek medical treatment if bitten by dogs and cats,” he said during SMC full council meeting today.
Tiong said the council’s dog catching operations were ongoing and members of the public could request it to catch stray dogs in their vicinity.
From January till yesterday, a total of 366 dogs have been impounded by the council as compared to a total of 351 dogs impounded in 2016 and 693 dogs in the previous year. The total number of dogs impounded this month alone was 110.
He appealed the public to be more responsible for their dogs and get them licensed with the council.
Only 97 dog licenses had been issued so far, he lamented. — Bernama