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)