A member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is pushing for a new law on pet registration and stricter punishments for violators to reduce the number of strays in Bangkok and elsewhere, which are blamed for spreading rabies.
Wallop Tangkananurak, who chairs the NLA's committee on animal welfare protection, reiterated Wednesday his call for the law as it surfaced that a man in Phatthalung was confirmed as having died from the virus, making him the seventh victim in just three months.
The 39-year-old was scratched by his pet dog a month ago but failed to get vaccinated, officials said.
The latest case, following a spate of deaths in Surin, Trang, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Buri Ram, has fueled calls for legal measures to better control pets and strays as they are potential carriers.
Mr Wallop said he believes the law, which would require people to have their pets implanted with microchips for ease of identification, would be an effective way to "increase owners' sense of responsibility".
If they fail to register their animals, or simply abandon them, the owners will face a fine of 40,000 baht, according to the new law.
Mr Wallop said earlier this month he was planning to ask the NLA to amend the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act because it does not map out a "systematic way" to list pets or stipulate punishments.
In his view, local administrative bodies should play a pivotal role in handling pet registrations.
The involvement of local officials was supported by former chief of the Zoological Park Organisation Wisit Wichasin, who believes they are the right people for the job as they know community members and areas well.
However, he said the government needs to make clear it will pay for the microchips, which cost between 100 and 200 baht.
Mr Wisit was speaking at a seminar on the issue that drew many participants Wednesday. Among them was Rangsit mayor Thirawut Klinkusum from Pathum Thani, who said the new law would likely to lead to "zero strays" as the animals would be seized by local officials and transported to shelters.
Recently, more cases of rabies infections in dogs have been found in Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima.
However, vaccine supplies are reportedly running low.
