DENPASAR ~

Department of Animal’s Husbandry and Health (Disnakeswan) of Bali assessed dog population on the island is now predicted above 400 thousand that has exceeded the capability for handling and vaccinations as well.

“Actually, 200 thousand dogs would be enough, if more than that, the handling will be difficult,” said Head of Disnakeswan of Bali Province, Putu Sumantra, in Denpasar on Thursday.

According to him, if the people want the number of dogs to be over 400 thousand and handled properly, it would not be a problem. “But the thing is, we had several times requested that the dogs should be well cared, do not handle it carelessly, but many even does not vaccinate the dogs,” he said.

Sumantra argued, the excess of dog population in Bali is caused by people’s behavior letting the dog roam, especially unvaccinated.  Moreover, added Sumantra, Bali currently faced the challenges of scarcity of anti-rabies vaccines (VAR).

Therefore, said Sumantra, in this condition, what can be done is at least for dogs that already exist is allowed to remain, while those unvaccinated should be eliminated. On the other hand, for the sixth mass rabies vaccination program in 2015, Bali provincial government has procured 250 thousand doses in addition to 60 thousand doses left from the previous year.

Sumantra stated that if people can keep their dog well, of course, there will not be a lot of funds being used for handling rabies so that these funds can be used to help the poor.