Malaysiakini Letter: Stray dogs: Adopt a progressive approach

Stray dogs: Adopt a progressive approach
Anthony SB Thanasayan | May 8, 09 7:47pm
I refer to the Malaysiakini report
MCPX
Pulau Ketam dogged by stray canines.

It is terribly sad that the issue of stray dogs that plagues almost every society in the world had to end in our country in a horrible situation where the helpless creatures - that are also victims in the circumstances - have to end up in starvation and animal cannibalism.

Others were reported to have drowned whilst trying to swim away from the island for their survival. The shame and embarrassment is really on us as human beings for coming up with such a plan in the first place.

Relocating the homeless canines to such a cruel fate by cutting them off from human proximity and placing them on the island expecting them to feed on fish, crabs, lizards and snakes is a most ill-conceived and ludicrous idea.

Especially for strays who have depended solely on food scraps from human beings. Expecting them to suddenly turn into hunters overnight is preposterous as hindsight has now proven.

However, the ones that are left to learn the extremely harsh lessons of this foolish decision are always as usual, the double victims of the situation: man's best friend, the dogs themselves.

Many of the dogs that were abandoned on the island could have become indispensable companions for children, the elderly and even the disabled with proper education programmes and efforts.

As the heroic actions of animal NGOs and ordinary Malaysians continue to try and save them, the plight of these hapless dogs should be a wake-up call to all local councils in the country.

It is high time that each of them set up a special committee to look into the stray dog problem in their respective vicinities. At Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, we have set up one such important committee in the middle of last year.

The committee is called ‘Canine Advisory Team' or CAT and it meets every month to look into the stray dog problem.

Our team consists of several council members, all the departments and relevant bodies including those of veterinary science that are involved in canine control together with animal NGOs like the SPCA and Paws, as well as special interest groups on animal-assisted therapy for the disabled and the elderly called Petpositive.

We are presently in the midst of a major programme to start a first-ever neutering clinic in Petaling Jaya to significantly cut down the number of unwanted strays. The campaign will include a comprehensive education programme for dog-owners on responsible pet ownership.

However, to embark on such a programme, all local councils should be prepared to broaden their view of canines and their usefulness in our Malaysian society.

Local councils should not view them as pests and disease-carriers but move on to adopt a more wholesome and an up-to-date view of how they can help to decrease crime, save human beings, instil positive values in kids and offer unflinching support and comfort to the disabled and elderly Malaysians.

For our part, MBPJ's CAT group is every ready to share our expertise with any local council who which is willing to engage with us and we would like to learn from them too.

The writer is an MBPJ councillor attached to the council's Canine Advisory Team.