Penang has launched an all-out war against rabies by enforcing the Rabies Disease Gazette on Sept 15, a ruling under the 1953 Animal Act.

State executive councillor on health Dr Afif Bahardin said the state’s move comes in wake of the disease detected in Perlis on Aug 17 and confirmed by Veterinary Research Institute. It has now spread to Penang.

He said Penang together with State Veterinary Services Department, State Health Department, Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council, have jointly formed the Rabies Disease Control Committee on Aug 19, after the Perlis incident.

The committee began its work yesterday to rid Penang off the rabies disease, he revealed.

Afif advised dog owners to keep their dogs at home and vaccinate them against the disease.

“The disease was detected in Penang since Sept 14 when a child aged 11, was bitten in Pokok Sena, Seberang Perai North while the next day, a 44 year old adult was bitten Taman Nelayan, Kuala Sungai Pinang, disclosed Afif in a press conference today.

“All stray dogs in Penang will be caught, and eliminated to prevent any possibility of the disease spreading, until we have this disease under control,” he added.

“We don’t want the public to have the perception that they can play with stray dogs without getting infected. The disease can be transmitted through saliva also,” he warned.

Asked if animal welfare organisations have been consulted about the matter, Afif said yes.

“We have met them this morning. They understand the situation, they are trying to be supportive, our agencies will ensure their work is done in a proper manner,” he said.

“The public must understand we are protecting Penang and also whole country, although the disease started in Perlis, where the matter was not given enough coverage,” he added.

“We hope to be able to stop it from going beyond Penang but we need the public’s commitment and cooperation,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has issued the order to declare Penang a rabies infected area.

He said the order is cited as the Rabies Infected Area (Penang) Order 2015.

"No person shall take any dog out of Penang except in accordance with a written permit issued by the state director of Veterinary Services.

"Owners or those in charge of dogs within the rabies-infected areas shall keep the dogs under effective control," Lim said.

"This can be done by confining them within an enclosed area where it is impossible for the dog to escape, or by tying them up securely," he added.

Lim said any dog in rabies-infected areas which is not under effective control, may be destroyed by any person authorised in writing on behalf of the State Veterinary Department (SVD).

He added that anyone authorised in writing by the SVD may enter any land, building, or premises, to inspect any dog found within a rabies-infected area.