Tue, 08 Nov 1994

Stray dogs will be killed

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Governor Raja Inal Siregar has ordered security authorities to destroy stray dogs he believes are to blame for the rise in rabies cases.

Siregar said owners of dogs should have their pets vaccinated and pay taxes, as the law requires.

Husbandry officials said that so far this year North Sumatra has had 2,500 cases of rabies transmitted by dogs, cats and monkeys. Ten of those have died, Antara reported.

The disease is the second most prevalent in the whole of Sumatra. Topping the list is West Sumatra, where people hunt or keep dogs as pets. (pan)