Petpositive attacked

Saturday, September 15, 2007, 09.31 PM

NST Online » Local News
2007/09/15

Dog-catching contest called off
By : Azira Shaharuddin


KUALA LUMPUR: The Selayang Municipal Council’s controversial dog-catching competition targeting strays was called off yesterday but not before an exchange of invectives between those who wanted it and those who were against.

Finally, the "nays" had their way.

They comprised the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar), Malaysia Animal-assisted Therapy Association (Petpositive) and Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo).

Selangor executive councillor Datuk Tang See Hang made the decision after listening to officials of the council and the Department of Veterinary Services and the SPCA at a meeting at Menara MPS.

However, the catching of stray dogs will continue.

The meeting started on an antagonistic note, with both the Selayang Municipal Council members and representatives of the associations shouting at one another.

Those from the associations wanted the competition to be called off immediately.

But when they learnt that the meeting was held to hear their views, some of them decided to leave.

These included Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan, who is wheelchair bound, and Roar president N. Surendran.

As they got up, shouts of kurang ajar were heard, and a man, identified as Rasheed Sultan Afshur, confronted them. A shouting match ensued.

"He came rushing at us as if to hit us. Some people stopped him," Surendran told reporters.

As they were walking out, someone called out "gangster".

After some time, calm was restored, and the meeting resumed with the council officials, four representatives of the SPCA and a representative of Petpositive.

Surendran and Thanasayan lodged a report at the Sentul police station.

Tang said the council would continue to catch stray dogs with help from the SPCA.

He outlined five measures in the fight against stray dogs, including having 10 to 20 volunteers from each residents’ association in the Selayang area to catch strays.

Dog owners will also be taught to be more responsible, and heavier penalties will be considered for those who abandon their pets.

Tang said the council also planned to set up a spay-neuter clinic for pets.
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