GEORGE TOWN: Penang has ordered dog culling in the state to be stopped immediately today, following lower prevalence of rabies cases.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the order to vaccinate all dogs to prevent rabies infection, however, stays.
"There is an indication that the prevalence of rabies is low... the situation is under control and I have decided to revoke the order," he said in a press conference in Komtar today.
Following Lim's order on Sep 15 to cull all stray dogs, some 2,000 strays have been put to sleep by the veterinary authorities.
Besides the culling order, Lim also made compulsory for all dog owners to vaccinate their pet dogs from a possible rabies outbreak.
On Sept 17, two rabies cases were reported in the state after two people fell sick following dog bites. State executive councillor in charge of health portfolio Dr Afif Bahardin said stray dogs bit both people in separate cases at Pokok Sena, Seberang Prai Utara on the mainland and Taman Nelayan, Kuala Sungai Pinang on the island.
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) also declared Perlis, Kedah and Penang as rabies infected states after wild dogs caught in the states found to be positive for the virus.