The Bali branch of the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) has addressed recent confusion and concern surrounding the island’s strategy for managing stray dogs. The organization clarified that the humane euthanasia process is part of efforts to control rabies, which remains a serious issue in Bali.
Misunderstanding of Euthanasia Term Causes Uproar
PDHI Bali’s Chairman, I Dewa Made Anom, spoke to ANTARA on Tuesday, explaining that public misunderstanding of the term ‘euthanasia’ has led to widespread concern. Many mistakenly believe euthanasia is simply about killing animals, which has fueled the controversy.
“There has been a misunderstanding. Euthanasia is not just about killing animals. It’s a procedure done with standard-compliant medication, not just any substance that causes death. The lack of public understanding, combined with misinformation from certain parties, has caused this uproar,” Anom said.
Clarification of PDHI Bali’s Instagram Post
The confusion stemmed from a recent Instagram post by PDHI Bali, which mentioned a meeting with Bali’s interim governor discussing rabies control. The post stated: “We will take firm action to move stray dogs to proper shelters. If after two weeks the dogs are not claimed or adopted, humane euthanasia will be carried out.” This sparked concerns among the public about mass killings of stray dogs.
Anom acknowledged that the public’s understanding of this issue needs improvement and emphasized the importance of revising local regulations to prevent further misunderstandings.
“The current interpretation of local regulations by the general public has led to the belief that all Bali dogs will be killed. A revision of the language in the regulations would help clarify this and avoid confusion,” he added.
Rabies Control Through Humane Euthanasia
Anom stressed that euthanasia is only considered for dogs that test positive for rabies. These dogs undergo a two-week observation period before any action is taken. Humane euthanasia is seen as a solution to prevent suffering, as rabies is an incurable and fatal disease for animals.
“The goal is to ensure that animals suffering from rabies do not endure prolonged pain. This is a compassionate approach, given the severity of the disease,” Anom explained.
Long-Standing Rabies Problem in Bali
For over 15 years, Bali has been battling its rabies crisis, and despite efforts, the island continues to record the highest number of cases in Indonesia. PDHI Bali, alongside other organizations, has been working closely with the provincial government to control rabies through vaccination, public education, and sterilization programs. However, the island still struggles with high rabies transmission rates.
“We are deeply concerned that Bali has been labeled as the ‘Rabies Island’ for 15 years now. We want Bali to be free from rabies, so that Ngurah Rai Airport can open its doors to safe entry and exit for dogs. Right now, Bali holds the record for the highest number of dog bites and has lost nine human lives to rabies,” Anom lamented.
Final Thoughts
PDHI Bali continues to urge the public to understand that humane euthanasia is not a mass culling of stray dogs but rather a necessary measure to control the rabies outbreak. Anom reiterated the importance of public awareness and appropriate revisions to local policies to ensure the island moves toward a rabies-free future.
