T

he outbreak of rabies in Tabanan regency has forced local villagers to join hands in combating the deadly virus.

Tabanan is one of Bali's eight regencies where the virus has spread, killing four residents and numerous dogs.

In the village of Ngis, Penebel, local residents have signed six regulations involving the entire community to prevent rabies from spreading widely and keep the village clean.

So far, Bali provincial and regional administrations have been working hard to provide health services to those affected by the virus.

They are also providing anti-rabies vaccination programs to domestic and stray dogs, while also putting many of them down.

The regulations set by Penebel villagers stipulate that all residents are responsible for their pets, and must take proper care of their dogs including vaccinating them.

They are also responsible for any health costs incurred by their dogs biting their neighbors or passersby, and are prohibited from taking their dogs out of their village. "These regulations were put in place after many dogs were found infected with rabies," said village chief I Wayan Tamba. Tamba added that at least 13 residents had been bitten by dogs between Aug. 9 and Aug.19.

"People here were afraid because they found out a dog had bitten three people in a very short period of time," Tamba said. At that time, the local government had not yet identified the rabies outbreak in the regency.

"On Aug. 25, the local husbandry office showed samples of dogs' blood that tested positive for rabies," said I Nyoman Diadnya, who lives in a neighboring village. Balinese people have always treated their dogs as their best friends, raising them at home and sometimes feeding stray dogs hanging around in their neighborhood.

"We care about dogs and other animals, which are also God's creations," Made Kertaysa said, adding that they were also conscious of the possible dangers of a rabies outbreak. The village, which once had more than 100 stray dogs, only has 15 left now, after putting away most of them.

"Before we killed those dogs, we performed a special ritual to ask for permission from the Creator," he added.

A number of villages in Tabanan regencies including Penebel and Marga performed the Pakeling ritual, a ceremony asking for God's permissions to kill stray dogs.

The ritual involved members of villages who had prepared elaborate offerings. They performed the rituals at Banjar community halls and presented all their offerings at Prajapati, the temple of death.