MELAKA: The owner of a Plott Hound which attacked a 7-day-old baby girl and bit off her right hand on Tuesday does not have a licence for the animal.
Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) mayor Datuk Zainal Abu said the Plott Hound is a German breed that is not allowed to be kept in Malaysia.
"The pet dog is currently under a two-week quarantine at the Melaka Veterinary Services Department to ensure it does not have rabies," he said when contacted by reporters here, yesterday.
He said action will be taken against the owner under the Licensing of Dogs By-Laws (MPMT) 1984.
Meanwhile, State Veterinary Department director Dr Aidi Mohamad said the male canine has been detained under Section 41 (1) of the Animals Act 1953 for monitoring, and will be disposed of if it shows signs of rabies.
"If the dog does not show any sign of illness during the 14 days of quarantine, it will be handed back to MBMB for further action," he said.
The dog, owned by the newborn's uncle, had attacked the infant in Bachang here, on Tuesday.
At the time of the incident, the victim was being cared for by her 39-year-old aunt, while her mother, who is still in confinement, was resting on the upper floor of the house.
Before giving the baby her bath, the aunt placed the newborn on a pillow near the closed gate, to be exposed to sunlight.
She left the baby for a while to prepare her bathwater. Upon her return, she was shocked to see the baby's right hand was being bitten by the dog. - BERNAMA