Bali Quarantine Euthanize 3 Pit Bull Dogs at Bali's Border

(3/6/2010)

One of a number measures in place to prevent the further spread of rabies in Bali include an absolute prohibition on the import or export of pets that could be carriers of the fatal disease.

Those in doubt of the government’s resolve on this point should take note of a report in Beritabali.com that four Pit Bull dogs that a Balinese university student, Putu Mahendra, tried to smuggle into Bali have been destroyed at the ferry port of Gilimanuk by quarantine officials.

Uncovered by port and quarantine authorities in Gilimanuk hidden among a truck full of building supplies, the four puppies were euthanized by lethal injection on Friday, March 5, 2010, and immediately buried on the grounds of the quarantine office in Gilimanuk.

Ketut Sonen, a veterinarian who heads the Gilimanuk Quarantine Office said, "the euthanizing of the bogs could only be done after we received an official order."

It is not clear if Putu Mahendra, the student who owned the dogs, will be charged criminally for attempting to circumvent the current prohibition on the importation of dogs, cats and monkeys to Bali.