XN000022-1974-04-02 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1974

DOG OWNERS REMINDED TO HAVE THEIR PETS LICENSED

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DOG OWNERS MUST HAVE THEIR PETS LICENSED ANNUALLY AND INÇCULATED AGAINST RABIES AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AT

THE TIME OF LICENSING.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THIS CAN BE DONE AT ANY OF THE 20 GOVERNMENT

THAT KENNELS AND LICENSING AND INOCULATION CENTRES ADMINISTERED

BY THE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID: LICENSING AND INUCULATION FACILITIES ARE ALSO

PROVIDED ON SPECIFIED DAYS AT A NUMBER OF PLACES SUCH AS KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS IN URBAN AREAS AND CERTAIN RURAL ORGANISAT- IONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF DOG OWNERS.+

HE POINTED OUT THAT DOGS OVER THE AGE OF THREE MONTHS ARE

REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED.

WHILE INUCULATION IS PROVIDED FREE, THE ANNUAL LICENCE

FEES AT THE MOMENT ARE $10 FOR A DOG IN THE URBAN AREAS AND ON

A LOCAL VESSEL AND $2 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THESE FEES WILL, HOWEVER, BE INCREASED TO $15 AND $5

RESPECTIVELY AS FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR, HE SAID.

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THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED DOG OWNERS THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED

BY LAW TO REPORT TO THE POLICE IF THEIR DOGS BITE ANYONE.

+THIS IS TO ALLOW THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DETECTION OF ANY FUTURE RABIES OUTBREAK, SO THAT IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN,+ HE SAID. +DOG OWNERS NEGLECTING TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THESE THREE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE

OF UP TO $1,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

/PO ASSIST