Taiwan denies stray-dog cull in rabies response

Taiwan's agricultural authorities on Monday denied that culling stray dogs and cats had ever been made an epidemic-prevention policy, in response to environmental groups' criticism of the authorities' rabies handling.

Environmental groups accused the authorities of tackling the island's rabies outbreak through culling stray dogs and cats.

The agricultural authorities in Taiwan urged the public not to abandon their pets, stay away from wild animals, and to also vaccinate their pets regularly.

A total of 39 ferret-badgers and one Asian house rat were found with rabies in Taiwan by Sunday, the island's rabies outbreak control center said.

The island started reporting rabies cases last month. No humans or dogs have thus far been reported to be infected with the disease.

Before July, Taiwan had been rabies-free since 1959.