BACHOK: Local authorities in Kelantan may cull dogs that lack vaccination tags or have not received anti-rabies vaccinations after April to reduce the risk of rabies transmission. Hilmi Abdullah, the state local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman, announced that this policy aligns with the Kelantan Anti-rabies Vaccination Order. It mandates pet owners to ensure their dogs are vaccinated between January and April each year.
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Hilmi highlighted that every vaccinated dog will receive a numbered metal identification tag, which is necessary for obtaining a license from the local council. Dogs without tags or those unvaccinated after April could face culling. "Under the order, all dog owners must make sure their pets are vaccinated within the specified timeframe to prevent the spread of rabies," he stated at a press conference following a Peatland Fire Prevention training session on October 8.
The risks of rabies transmission are heightened in Kelantan, which shares a border with Thailand, particularly given recent events, including a rabies-related death reported in Kubang Pasu, Kedah, last month, and a stray dog attack on a child in Kelantan earlier this month. This underscores the dangers associated with the disease, which can be fatal.
Hilmi noted that local councils, in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Department, routinely conduct operations to trap stray dogs; two of five identified stray dogs have already been caught and culled. To date, 21 dogs in Bachok have been vaccinated, and samples from an additional 20 dogs have been submitted for rabies testing. He urged dog owners to ensure their pets are properly vaccinated, licensed, and not allowed to roam freely to maintain public safety.