Be sensitive when culling, official say

Officials launching mass culls of dogs have been told to be more sensitive to avoid being viewed in a negative light by visiting overseas tourists, Denpasar Tourism Agency head Putu Budiasa said Friday.

The Denpasar Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency is currently raising its efforts to curb the spread of the rabies virus through the culling of stray dogs, in addition to vaccinating pet dogs and awareness-raising efforts.

"The officials conducting the culls should be more sensitive, as most foreign tourists are animal lovers," Budiasa said.

"The elimination program has to be done when there are not many people watching, or at least avoid doing it where tourists usually gather, like Sanur Beach."

He added the agency had not yet received any protests or written statements condemning the city administration's decision to cull dogs suspected of rabies.

While the culling program has been protested by animal welfare NGOs, Budiasa was the first city official to sound the alarm over the program.

Budiasa also said it was necessary to coordinate with the public or local businesspeople on when and where officials could conduct the culls without bothering tourists, and to put up signs explaining that a cull may be conducted in certain areas.

In addition to being declared as rabies-infected area, Denpasar is also suffering from bird flu, despite various efforts such as spraying markets with disinfectant.

Budiasa also urged sensitivity in the culling of strays.

"Don't drag them around over long distances in a vulgar state without covering them up, especially when there are cameras around," he said.

"That will affect reports in the media and arouse opinions of sadism and other negative opinions."

He said officials should cover dogs that were culled, immediately putting them inside the vehicles.

"The dog carcasses should not be placed in an open place, they should be covered," he said.

"How would you feel if you saw dog carcasses lying all around you? You would at least cringe or start to ask yourself questions.

"Especially if you're a guest who doesn't know why the cull is being done in the first place."

Budiasa also said he would talk to the animal husbandry and fisheries agency about the issue, quickly adding his agency supported the culling program.

"Other than that, we fully support the depopulation program. It will reduce the number of stray dogs walking the streets and the beaches," he said.

"Having too many stray dogs can be bothersome."

In response, Denpasar Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Agency head Dewa Made Ngurah said he would follow up on Budiasa's concerns.

"I'll talk about it with the rabies task force coordinators," Ngurah said.

He reiterated the task force had always talked to locals before conducting the elimination program, adding the task force would continue to prioritize requests for dog eliminations from these locals.

Earlier, head of the Bali Animal Husbandry Agency, IB Ketut Alit has said the culls were just one effort in addition to awareness-raising and vaccination, adding his office had received many complaints from abroad.

"*Foreigners* do not understand there are so many stray dogs roaming Bali. Many owners also do not take proper care of their dogs."

Wasti Atmodjo , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Mon, 03/02/2009 2:18 PM | Bali