Sessional_Paper_1948 — Page 205

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We consider that the inoculation programme should be carried out in Hong Kong and Kowloon first, and that when the main inoculations have been carried out there, 2 teams should be transferred to the New Territories as mobile units, visiting all townships and villages in order to inoculate the dogs.

(d) "Other control measures to be adopted against rabies.”

We wish to point out the difficulties of combating rabies in the Colony unless corresponding measures are taken in adjoining areas. However we consider that the following control measures should be adopted:-

(i) The thorough elimination of all stray and ownerless dogs. In this con- nection we considered and approved a draft Police announcement which subsequently was published in the Press. A copy is attached as Ap- pendix III.

(ii) The public should be made rabies-conscious and in this connection we recommend that a thorough and prolonged publicity campaign should be carried out by means of radio programmes, newspaper articles, lec- tures in schools, and pamphlets giving the salient information.

(iii) The existing legislation regarding dogs which is enumerated below, to

be revised where necessary and strictly enforced:-

Conclusion.

(a) Summary Offences Ordinance, No. 40 of 1932, sections 3 (10) and

14; and

(b) Dogs Ordinance, No. 21 of 1927, and regulations made thereunder.

We recommend that if Government approves our recommendations, the Urban Council with the assistance of the Police Department should be the appropriate depart- ment to carry them out.

We also recommend that the cost of the scheme should be borne by the public in the form of increased fees for licensing of dogs.

We further recommend that certificates of inoculation from qualified Veterinary Surgeons be accepted.

Finally we are of the opinion that provided the public co-operates and the anti-rabic campaign is successful, it should be possible to relax the existing restrictions after a certain period, in so far as they affect dogs already in the Colony.

1. (sd.) A. R. S. Major

2. (sd.) R. H. Robertson, M.R.C.V.S.

3. (sd.) E. F. Duck

4. (sd.) J. T. Wakefield

5. (sd.) Horace Lo

6. (sd.) E. C. Frederick

7. (sd.) T. S. D. Whitley, Secretary.

8. (sd.) K. C. Yeo, Chairman.