Stray dogs which entered Perlis through 'rat lanes' used by smugglers across the Malaysia-Thai border are believed to have caused the spread of rabies in the state.

Perlis Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism and Regional Development and New Growth Committee chairman Datuk Sabry Ahmad said the dogs could have come from South Thailand, which was still not free from rabies.

This, he said was based on the two cases of dog bites reported in the state last month.

It happened at Felcra Lubuk Sireh and Kaki Bukit, which are along the Malaysia-Thai border, he told reporters after the handing over of 168 heads of cattle for the Aidiladha sacrifice at Guar Nangka here.

However, he said measures were being taken by the Perlis Veterinary Department to contain the spread of the disease.

According to Sabry, as of last night, 12 of the 30 cases of dog bites, involving 15 stray dogs and 15 pet dogs, were confirmed rabies.

Samples taken from 64 pet dogs found that 20 of them are rabid, he added.

He said in the latest case yesterday, two people were bitten by stray dogs at Kaki Bukit and Simpang Empat, but it had yet to be ascertained whether they were infected by rabies.

So far, the Veterinary Department had administered vaccine to 782 pet dogs against rabies and put to sleep 300 wild dogs, he added.

He advised those with pet dogs to bring the animal to the veterinary office to be vaccinated against rabies.

The charge is RM5 per animal.

For any inquiry, they can call 04-9766000.