Protest over dog cruelty - NST

Protest over cruelty to dogs

The group demonstrating outside the City Hall dog pound in Setapak.

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 30 animal lovers yesterday demonstrated outside the City Hall dog pound in Setapak and when they left, they took along two dogs and seven puppies.

The canines were up for adoption at the pound.

The protest was over what they saw on Wednesday on TV3's 360 programme where a pound worker yanked a dying dog with a loop on a stick.

A few members of the group were allowed into the pound to meet with Health Department director Dr Zainol Ariffin Pawanchee.

While the meeting was being held, the animal lovers outside found dead animals dumped in plastic bags in three shallow graves.
There were remnants of skulls and skin scattered everywhere, and flies and maggots were feeding on the exposed flesh.

Ironically there was a City Hall sign warning people not to throw rubbish in the area.

A further protest led to Zainol promising: "We will investigate. I will submit a report to the mayor in two weeks and he will decide on the action to be taken."

Zainol claimed the dead animals had been properly buried "but some individuals dug out the remains and tore the plastic bags just to make us look bad".

Pet owner Rosnah Hassan said: "Parliament must pass a law to protect animals. So many pets are abused."

Shenaaz Khan of Pet Positive was surprised City Hall did not have a copy of the Department of Veterinary Services guidelines on catching and exterminating stray dogs, that was endorsed last year for all local councils.

"The director himself asked me for a copy. How can they work without knowing the guidelines?" she asked.

There was some consolation for the group when it left at 1pm with the adopted canines. -- By Halim Said