PETALING JAYA: The Trap-Neuter-Manage-Return (TNRM) method of stray management could be used to prevent the spread of rabies in the country.
SPCA Malaysia president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said under TNRM, small colonies of dogs could be managed by members of the local communities.
“These dogs must also be given all vaccinations, including for rabies, as well as documented so that tabs can be kept on them,” said Dr Andrew.
He said the current situation was alarming as the dreaded canine disease has once again reared its ugly head after Malaysia enjoyed rabies free status for decades.
“This is one of the ramifications of not having a more efficient stray management system and once again proves that the catching and culling method may need to be reviewed,” said Dr Andrew.
He was commenting on the recent detection of rabies in Taiping which saw several dogs infected with the dreaded disease.
He reiterated that TNRM, on the other hand, will help to ensure street dogs are duly vaccinated against any canine-related communicable diseases including rabies.
“This will counter any possibility of local street dogs from being infected in the event there is an outbreak.
“At the same time the number of street dogs can also be gradually reduced with this method,” he added.
A paper published in the United States-based Frontiers in Veterinary Science journal states that dog population management (DPM) is an effective way of controlling population growth as well as rabies infection.
The paper stated that mass culling was a “misguided response to rabies outbreaks, based on the mistaken belief that reducing the size of dog populations will reduce rabies transmission”.
“In fact, mass dog culling has been shown to have no long-term impact on the control of rabies within cities or across countries such as Ecuador, Indonesia and Bangladesh,” the paper read.
Canine Advisory Team Society Selangor (Cat Selangor) member M. Shyam Priah urged the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to endorse TNRM for at least a stipulated period of time.
“It is also cheaper than catching and culling.
“Most importantly, it is also more humane and will gradually reduce the number of street dogs via sterilisation instead of killing them off,” she said.
She added TNRM had been tremendously successful in countries such as Turkey, Spain, Austria and Germany.
“I visited Spain, Austria and Germany recently and saw for myself how animal welfare groups there neutered and returned street dogs and cats to the original locations,” said Shyam Priah.
The DVS is adamant in not wanting to acknowledge TNRM and on-site neutering. As a result, the RM200,000 mobile spaying clinic donated by Berjaya Corporation to the PAWS Animal Welfare Society remains idle outside the shelter.
Full Article: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/16/spca-suggests-tnrm-method-to-curb-spread-of-rabies/
Dr. Andrew Mohanraj 