Carita's wild dogs to be destroyed

PANDEGLANG, West Java: Thousands of wild dogs roaming the Carita beach area and thought to be infected with rabies will be destroyed in an effort to free the area of the disease.

"We hope tourists will feel more comfortable once the roaming dogs have been put away," said spokesman of Pandeglang administration Ahmad Ambari.

As reported by Antara, statistics at the local livestock office showed that out of 12,956 dogs in the area, 7,741 were considered wild.

The office defines wild dogs as those who roam freely without an owner.

The month-long eradication campaign began Friday.

Asep Suprihat, head of the livestock office, said 3,805 dogs would be given rabies vaccines while the others would be exterminated.

"Even though there is strong suspicion of dogs with rabies, thank God the Pandeglang area has not had any reports of dog bites," he said. (10)