While some districts in Sarawak are facing a rabies outbreak and people are generally trying to keep away from dogs - firemen in Kuching braved the likelihood of being bitten by dogs and saved several canines and other animals from perishing in a pet shop fire.

Eight canines were saved in the 3.45am incident at the Loving Pets shop on Jalan Song in Kuching. 

However, one canine perished in the fire. 

Sarawak Fire and Rescue assistant director of operations Tiong Ling Hii in a statement in Kuching said the shop was 70 per cent destroyed.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

- Bernama