Kelantan warns: Dogs without anti‑rabies vaccination tags may be culled

Bachok, October 8 — Local authorities in Kelantan may euthanize dogs without anti-rabies vaccination tags or those that haven't received a vaccination since April, in an effort to reduce the risk of rabies transmission. The directive aligns with the Kelantan Anti-Rabies Vaccination Order, mandating pet owners to ensure their dogs receive vaccinations between January and April each year.

Upon vaccination, each dog receives a numbered metal identification tag from the local council, and animals lacking the tag or unvaccinated past April may face consequences. Hilmi Abdullah, chairman of the Kelantan Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee, stated this during a press conference, following a Peatland Fire Prevention program training session in Gunong.

Kelantan's proximity to Thailand heightens the risk of rabies transmission, as dogs may cross the border. A recent rabies fatality in Kubang Pasu, Kedah, and a stray dog attack on a child in Kelantan this month underscore the disease's deadly potential. Local councils, working alongside the Department of Veterinary Services, conduct periodic operations to capture stray dogs, with two of five identified canines already euthanized.

This year, 21 dogs in Bachok have been vaccinated, while samples from 20 others are undergoing rabies testing. Hilmi emphasized that dog owners must vaccinate their pets, obtain council licensing, and prevent uncontrolled wandering to safeguard public health.