DENPASAR ~ Stray dogs in Bali need not be destroyed because Bali is a rabies-free area, an official said this week.

“In other areas in Indonesia, stray dogs that test positive for rabies must be destroyed, but in Bali we must have a clear reason to destroy a dog, as rabies is not a factor here,” Animal Quarantine chief I Ketut Diarmita said.

He said the board controlling the quarantine had the authority to control animal traffic, including dogs entering Bali either by air or sea.

Diarmita urged people in Bali to keep their dogs healthy.

“We have to understand that Balinese people like to keep dogs. Dogs are very useful for hunting, and to guard people’s homes,” he said.