DILI, 08 april 2024 (TATOLI) – Given the entry of rabies into Timor-Leste, a virus which resulted in the death of a Timorese citizen in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA), as a result of being bitten by a rabies-positive dog and to prevent and mitigate this disease among the population, the Secretary of State for Livestock, together with the Ministry of State Administration are working, through the Presidents of the Municipal Authorities (Local Authorities, Community Leaders), the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), to control and address this situation, to prevent and mitigate this outbreak.
Therefore, based on Article 3 (d) (e), article 5, (1) (a) (c) and (2), and Articles 7, 9 and 10 of Decree-Law No. 12/2014, of May 14th, on the Restriction of the Movement of Animals in Urban Areas, the following instructions are given:
It is strictly forbidden to leave animals, namely dogs, cats, and monkeys, in public places throughout the territory of Timor-Leste
The community that owns dogs, cats, and monkeys is urged to leash or tie them up and not let them run free, especially those who live close to the borders, such as in the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima, RAEOA, and Dili, thus restricting dogs from moving freely within the community;
The statement said that tt is forbidden to transport animals, namely dogs, from the municipalities of Bobonaro, Covalima and RAEOA to other municipalities (by land, air or sea) to prevent the virus from spreading to other municipalities;
Everyone is asked to cooperate with the vaccination teams to vaccinate your dogs, cats and monkeys;
“Failure to comply with the rules mentioned above, and in the event that someone is bitten by the animals as mentioned above (dogs, cats and monkeys), will result in the respective owners of these animals being held responsible, based on the Decree-Law above,” said in a statement.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
