Rewards for stray dog killers

Rewards for stray dog killers

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial government of South Kalimantan has said it will reward any residents who succeed in capturing or killing stray dogs roaming the area.

Sobari, the head of the animal husbandry office here said on Sunday that the government would pay Rp 25,000 for each dog killed in an effort to contain the rabies virus.

He did not say how many dogs were estimated to carry the virus, or whether residents had been trained to diagnose the symptoms which it presents in infected animals.

"I hope residents will participate and support the effort to control the dog population in order to free the province from rabies. The number of rabies victims in the province increased year-on-year in 1998," Antara quoted him as saying.

He added that 33 people contracted the virus last year, two of whom died. (29)