Press Releases
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Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies Dog owners should have their pets vaccinated against rabies as a precautionary measure, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (August 14). "Rabies is a fatal disease and can be transmitted from infected dogs to humans through dog bites," an AFCD spokesman said. "Although Hong Kong has not found any local case of rabies in animals since 1987, we should be vigilant and take the necessary precautionary measures. "A comprehensive anti-rabies programme has been implemented by the Department with vaccination as the key measure." Under the Rabies Ordinance, all dogs aged over five months must be vaccinated against rabies, licenced and microchipped to strengthen preventive measures against the disease. "Some 98,000 dogs are currently vaccinated and licenced. To ensure an adequate level of protection against rabies, dogs must be re-vaccinated every three years, at which time the dog licence will be renewed," the spokesman said. Vaccination is available from private veterinary surgeons, the clinics of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or AFCD's animal management centres. As part of the anti-rabies programme, the Department takes action to eliminate stray dogs. From January to July this year, more than 8,000 strays were handled by the Department territory-wide. As a precautionary measure, people who are bitten by dogs should immediately seek medical attention and report the case to the Police, who will forward the information to AFCD for investigation. For enquiries, please call the Department's hotline, 2362 3257.
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