ibnchannel.id – Bali Governor Wayan Koster received an audience from the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) Bali Branch to strengthen synergy in combating rabies in Bali. The meeting, held in the Governor’s Reception Room in Renon, Denpasar, on Thursday (Aug 7), highlighted PDHI Bali’s emphasis on the urgency of increasing vaccination efforts and controlling stray dog populations as strategic steps toward a Rabies-Free Bali.
Chairman of the PDHI Bali Branch, Drh. I Dewa Made Anom, expressed concern over the current rabies threat in Bali, with 12 suspected human rabies cases reported. He stressed that the large dog population—especially strays—remains one of the main challenges in controlling the rabies virus on the Island of the Gods.
“Stray dog control must be carried out systematically. We are currently facing obstacles in the field from pamphlets and campaigns that hinder stray dog handling efforts. Some parties even attempt to sabotage these actions without any clear legal basis,” said Drh. Anom.
PDHI Bali is pushing for collaboration with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), universities, and NGOs that share the same vision and mission in tackling rabies. They emphasized the importance of implementing SOPs that are not indiscriminate, but instead target animals showing rabies symptoms based on an animal welfare approach.
Governor Koster: Strong Legal Basis, Don’t Be Afraid to Act
Responding to the report, Governor Wayan Koster voiced his support for the concrete measures taken by PDHI Bali and related agencies. He stressed that stray dog control and pet vaccination must be carried out firmly yet humanely, as this involves public safety.
“Don’t be afraid in carrying out this control. We have a strong legal basis. If there are parties obstructing without authority, report them to the relevant authorities,” Governor Koster asserted.
He pointed out that existing Regional Regulations (Perda) provide a strong foundation for the government to implement systematic and legal rabies control programs.
The Governor also underlined the importance of involving the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in rabies control operations to ensure coordinated and secure handling, especially given that rabies can be transmitted to humans and harm Bali’s tourism image.
“This concerns human safety and Bali’s reputation as a world tourism destination. Don’t be afraid to work because of rumors circulating on social media. If you’re too afraid, you end up not working,” he added.
Furthermore, Governor Koster instructed that shelters be prepared for stray dogs as a humane handling measure. He emphasized that control does not have to mean killing, but should involve organized and responsible management.
“Let’s be humane. Shelter and control them—it doesn’t mean killing. But we must also talk about virus transmission. This is the government’s authority, not the business of unrelated parties. Just carry it out according to the Perda,” he stressed.
With the full support of the Bali Provincial Government, PDHI Bali, and other relevant parties, Governor Wayan Koster hopes the goal of a Rabies-Free Bali can be achieved soon. The government continues to strengthen the presence of Rabies Alert Teams in villages, which have been actively monitoring and taking action in the field.
“We can no longer work half-heartedly. This is about lives and public safety. Everyone must act, be coordinated, and be grounded in the existing legal framework,” Governor Koster concluded.***
