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Feral Dogs Troubling Rabies Control

Posted Monday, 02/28/2011 by admin

Banjarmasin - Feral dogs are still one of the main challenges for rabies control in South Kalimantan. These unowned dogs often run away when officers try to vaccinate. But when the government tries to take more severe measures, by killing them, often people’s dogs are killed in the process and this causes protests.
Head of the Livestock Service Office of South Kalimantan, Maskamian Andjam, on Monday (23/2/11) said there are rabies victims each year. In 2010 alone, 17 people were bitten by suspected rabid dogs, fortunately none developed the disease.

The dog population in South Kalimantan is estimated to reach 30,000 dogs. While rabies endemic areas are Hulu Sungai Selatan, Hulu Sungai Tengah, Tabolang, Kota Baru, Tanah Laut, and Tanah Bumbu district. In June, more feral dogs are expected to come to populated areas because it is the mating season. “Usually people get bitten at those times,” he said. (Defri Werdiono|Ed. Aloysius Gonsaga Angi Ebo)

Source : Kompas