The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak recently celebrated World Rabies Day 2020 on 17^th October 2020 at MBKS Community Hall, Kuching. World Rabies Day is celebrated annually on 28th September globally to create public awareness against rabies and this year’s theme is “End Rabies:Collaborate, Vaccinate”.

“Since the outbreak of rabies in Sarawak from July 2017 until today, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) provided free anti-rabies vaccination to a total of 186,798 dogs as a continuous effort to eradicate rabies in Sarawak. Every dog in Sarawak must be vaccinated against rabies annually,” said Dr. Adrian Susin Ambud, Director of DVS Sarawak at the launch of the event.

Collaboration from all dog owners to get their dogs vaccinated against rabies is important. Rabies is 100 per cent lethal worldwide and 100 per cent preventable by vaccination in animals and people. Dog-to-human transmission accounts for 99 per cent of human rabies cases globally. All pet owners must take precautions to keep their pets away from stray animals with unknown vaccination status.

As a reminder, in accordance with the Anti-rabies Vaccination Order, all dogs in Sarawak must be vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine. Any owner or person in charge of a dog who fails without reasonable cause to comply with the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Order shall be guilty of an offence: Penalty, a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred Ringgit under Section 40, Veterinary Public Health Ordinance (VPHO), 1999. Dogs without evidence of vaccination may be detained or removed under this section.

Owners who let their dogs roam freely on the streets shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred Ringgit under Section 37, VPHO 1999. Dog owners must keep their dogs under effective control either by: confining it within an enclosed area from which it is impossible for the dog to escape, or tying it up securely, or leading it by a chain or lead of strong cord or leather properly secured to a collar or harness worn by the dog. The Local Authority may seize and impound any dogs which is not on a leash in accordance with the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) by-laws, 2018.