Protesters call for the resignation of the Livestock Department chief
Anti-corruption and animal rights activists rallied in front of the Livestock Development Department this morning demanding the removal of the department chief for failure to contain rabies in the country. They’re also alleging lack of transparency in the procurement of the anti-rabies vaccine.
Thai PBS is reporting that Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, leader of the group, is blaming Livestock director-general Apai Suttisunk for the death of seven people from rabies.
The group also called on the LDD to stop mass killing of dogs as a means to contain rabies outbreak.
The LDD earlier dismissed the allegations that its anti-rabies vaccines are substandard, resulting in the outbreak of rabies.
Meanwhile, the LDD has announced Krabi as a temporary rabies epidemic zone, bringing the total number of provinces being declared as temporary rabies epidemic zones to 38.
He disclosed that officials have, so far, vaccinated 4.3 million cats and dogs and, by the end of the year, about 8.2 million would have been vaccinated.
Mr Narong Boonphan, a livestock official attached to Lamtap district of Krabi, said that Village 3 of Tambon Thung Saithong, Lamtap district and surrounding areas of 5-kilometre radius from the village were declared epidemic zone after one suspected rabid dog was found on April 19.
He urged anyone in the zone who was scratched or bitten by the dog to see a doctor immediately. Also, owners of dogs and cats in the zone were advised to bring their animals for vaccination.
Four rabid dogs were found in Lamtap district last year and two were found this year.
SOURCES: Thai PBS, The Nation
