International world criticize the dogs elimination program done by Bali’s Government in preventing the spread of rabies in Bali. Janice Giraldi, the head of Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), said “many donations and assistants from the international society will stop if Bali keep kill the wild dogs.”
While Elly Hiby, a rabies expert and also work for World Society for Animal Protection Organization (WSPA), also stated that animal lovers abroad are very concern with the condition in Bali.
“Actually, Australia is ready to give assistance in giving vaccine to the dogs through AusAid program but there must not any dog elimination like now,” she added. The international recommendation to prevent rabies is giving vaccine to the dogs and not eliminates them. The program is suitable with the principal of animal welfare.
Janice said that she totally understands with the steps dome by Bali’s Government but the government also should consider other steps such as giving vaccine. The manpower and fund needed to give vaccine is less than doing dogs elimination.
There is also proves that elimination could not completely prevent the spread of rabies. For example in Madras, India where there were no reports of rabies cases for two years after vaccination conducted in the area.
She also said that it is impossible for the government to kill more than 500,000 gods and if it conducted then there will be new problems occur. The increasing population of rats could happen if the dogs decrease.
Usually, the dogs eat the leftover of foods and offerings but if the dogs decrease then the rats that also eat the same food will increase because there is less competition. Janice explained that if the government wanted some assistance, the association could help in giving vaccination to dogs. Bawa can give vaccination to 300 dogs in a day.
“We already give vaccination to several dogs in Bali. The price of the vaccine is cheaper than the price of the toxic to kill the dogs,” she added. The vaccine for dogs is also cheaper than the vaccine for human. Based on the data from Sanglah Hospital, the vaccine for one person cost approximately 1 million rupiah. It could be compared to the dog vaccine which only cost 17,000 rupiah. If 70% of the dogs in bali already given vaccine then Bali are secure from rabies.
News by International Bali Post
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