Dong Nai tightens rabies prevention: Catching stray dogs with full determination and focus

Free-roaming dogs have long been a natural occurrence on all the streets and alleys in Dong Nai. It is such a natural occurrence that has caused many people to be harmed or bitten by dogs, resulting in human injuries, and traffic safety problems, and they defecate anywhere.

For a long time, Dinh Tien Doan (Tan Tien ward, Bien Hoa city) has been reluctant to go to the park and exercise. Since he was bitten by a dog in 2013, he is now afraid of dogs wherever he goes, and stray dogs are a prime example. Meanwhile, in the Duong Tu Giang Park area where he often exercises, a lot of stray dogs have been spotted recently. Even though he still wanted to go to the park, for safety's sake, he chose to exercise at home.

“The elders once said, ‘Once bitten by a snake, fear of ropes for life’. I guess I am going to be afraid of dogs running loose for the rest of my life. Luckily, there were many people at that time chasing the dog away, so I was only bitten lightly, otherwise I would have needed many stitches. I heard that the dog later died because of disease, but thankfully I was safe by the vaccines,” Doan said.

Bien Hoa city currently has more than 33,000 dogs and 3,300 cats raised by 20,000 households. Limited land, crowded population and many pets have led to high risks as well as unnatural developments when rabies epidemics occur.

The situation of rabies in the community in Dong Nai still has many potential complex risks. Bien Hoa City People's Committee continues to direct the People's Committees of wards and communes to establish and promote the model of catching stray dogs in the area.

“The issue of stray dogs has been mentioned in complaintsfromf many votersatn each meeting. There have been cases of dogs biting people and causing traffic accidents. Therefore, early and drastic implementation of measures against stray dogs will help people be more at ease,” said Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of Bien Hoa City People’s Committee.

Trang Dai and Long Binh Tan wards are the first two localities in Bien Hoa to organize a campaign to capture stray dogs and animals showing signs of rabies. Ward officials have also coordinated with specialized agencies and neighborhood management boards to vaccinate dogs and cats in the area against rabies.

According to Truong Van Khiem, Vice Chairman of Long Binh Tan Ward People's Committee, the team catches stray dogs in the early morning and late afternoon. These are the times when dogs are reported to be released the most.

“Our goal is to influence the awareness of pet owners, not to focus on the number of dogs to be caught. As long as we see dogs roaming freely, the team will resolutely catch them, without asking for permission. Catching stray dogs is the last resort to prevent and control the epidemic, but on the other hand, it proves to hold a certain effect in raising people's awareness," he said.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Truong Giang, Head of Dong Nai Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, said that catching stray dogs is not a "fight against abandonment". Catching stray dogs is ultimately a harsh measure that affects the psychology of pet owners.

“This is the last resort when previous propaganda has not been effective. Owners will be aware of the consequences when their stray dogs are caught. They have to redeem the dogs, or pay for their own vaccinations if they have not done so already,” said Giang.

A recent report from Dinh Quan Medical Center (Dong Nai) mentions that the district has just recorded a rabies outbreak in stray dogs that attacked 11 people doing morning exercises in the area. Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is trying to go to every alley, and knock on every door to vaccinate dogs and cats. Dong Nai is showing a strong determination to regain the initiative in the face of the complicated developments of rabies in recent times.