JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 8 — The Johor government has directed a large-scale operation to hunt and capture five feral dogs that attacked a two-year-old girl in Kampung Tambak in Batu Pahat last weekend.

Johor religious committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khaled said efforts are being carried out by the Batu Pahat district office in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and police.

He said the operation will be intensified for at least a week with deployment of various methods to ensure the detection of the dogs and their eventual capture.

“The methods would use a host of techniques that include monitoring and surveillance operations that is permitted under the law.

“Our commitment is to overcome the feral and stray dog problem in the area to ensure that similar incidents do not happen to others,” he told reporters during a visiting Nur Haira Wafiqah Muhammad Hamizi who is currently receiving treatment at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here today.

Last Saturday, Nur Haira was found covered in blood with head and facial injuries after being mauled by a group of five feral dogs.

She was later rushed to hospital for medical treatment to her injuries.

Mohd Fared said the immediate capture of the feral animals involved needs to be carried out to ensure that they are free of rabies.

He said this was important not only to ensure public safety, but to also reduce concerns on Nur Haira’s long-term health.

“So this requires immediate action so that the feral and stray dogs in the area can be checked and examined for rabies,” he said, adding that priority is to ensure the child’s recovery.

Mohd Fared, who is also the Semerah assemblyman, said the state government is fully committed to cover Nur Haira’s medical and rehabilitation costs as she is expected to undergo a lengthy recovery.

He also called on the relevant authorities to look into Nur Haira family’s mental trauma and  psychological well-being.

Mohd Fared said that priority to the incident, the Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) together with DVS had carried out operations on August 12, 26 and 30 where they successfully captured 22 stray dogs in the area.

Despite this, he said the number of stray and feral dogs still roaming in the area showed that continuous efforts are needed.