Dog licence mandatory for pet shop owners

THE Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has made it mandatory for pet shop owners to apply for a licence if they have dogs in their premises.

“All pet shops keeping dogs in their business premises have to apply for a licence under the Local Authorities (Licensing and Control of Dogs) By-law.

“Failure to do so is an offence which carries a fine of not more than RM10,000,” said SMC chief public environmental health officer Ting Tin Teck at a press conference.

Ting added that the pet shop premises must be on a commercial lot with an occupancy permit (OP).

Prohibited dog breeds are not allowed while restricted breeds require written approval from the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department.

“In addition, the maximum number of dogs allowed on the premises is 20, and inventory and records of dog movements must be kept and updated,” Ting said.

“Pet shop owners must ensure that their premises are clean, and cause no disturbance to adjacent property owners, other businesses operating there or residents living in the area.”

Separately, he said dog owners were required to submit proof of anti-rabies vaccination for their pets under rabies prevention guidelines before a dog licence could be issued.

“All dog owners are reminded to apply for a dog licence and ensure their dogs are within private areas and kept clean and healthy at all times in accordance with current laws,” he said.

Ting added that application forms could be obtained from the urban transformation centre (UTC) or at the SMC Office, 20th Floor, Wisma Sanyan, or from its website at www.smc.gov.my.

On a separate issue, an average of 14 cases of dog bites per week were reported for the first seven months of this year in Sibu.

“From January to July, a total of 395 dog bite cases were reported in the Sibu Municipal Council area,” said SMC Public Environment Health and City Services Standing Committee chairman Richard Ling.

“The Dog Catching Unit will patrol according to a planned schedule based on public feedback and any dog found roaming, whether licensed or not, will be caught and not returned to its owner,” he warned.