Decorative Picture (Hiasan)
SEMPORNA: Supreme Council Member and one of the original founders of Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (ANAK NEGERI), Hasaman Sagaran, has asked the Semporna District Officer and District Council to take immediate action to catch stray dogs that are roaming around the village, especially in areas where there are many foreign tourists.
Hasaman, who is also one of the early founders of the ANAK NEGERI Party, said this while commenting on an incident where a 5-year-old child died after being bitten by a group of stray dogs near his home in Kg. Sg. Tuhok, Semporna.
“I urge the relevant government agencies to act immediately because the Semporna district is a leading international tourist destination.
“The image of Semporna District as clean and safe for tourists must be preserved.”.
“The Sabah government cannot allow the incident whereby a 5-year-old child was being bitten by a stray dog to affect the image of Semporna District as a tourist attraction.
“Where are the Semporna District Council’s wild dog shooting squad?” he asked.
According to him, during the incident, the victim’s father, who was having breakfast, was told by the villagers about the incident.
The victim’s father, who rushed to the scene, found his son badly injured and covered in blood because he was attacked by a group of wild dogs.
The victim’s father immediately took his bloodied son to Semporna Hospital for emergency treatment, but the victim died on the way.
Hasaman, who was also shocked and saddened by the incident, said the problem of stray dogs roaming around and biting people is not a new thing in Semporna district.
“I regret it because the incident of the child being bitten by a stray dog should have been avoided if the District Officer and District Council had proactively taken early action.”
He reminded me that the bite of a wild dog can bring the risk of infection with mad dog disease (rabies), which can be fatal.
“Even people exposed or who touch the saliva of wild dogs carrying rabies germs can also become infected and result in death.”
“I suggest that members of RELA, Rukun Tetangga, and Members of the Village Development, Progress, and Security Committee (JPKKK) be mobilised to hunt and capture or kill stray dogs that are a threat to children,” said Hasaman, who is native to Pulau Bum Bum Semporna and also a former member of RELA.
