Shocking . . . Man's Best Friend Must Receive Better Treatment - malay mail

SHOCKING... man's best friend must receive better treatment

Submitted by pekwan on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Dog owners must be more responsible in looking after their animals

Joseph Kaos Jr

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 03:53:00

THANASAYAN: Dismayed at shabby treatment of dogs

"SHOCKING!" is how Petaling Jaya councillor Anthony Thanasayan describes the treatment of pet dogs in most Malaysian homes.

"Many dog owners believe that feeding them is enough," said Thanasayan. "No, that is certainly not enough."

Thanasayan expressed his displeasure on what he observes as lack of responsibility by dog owners. "For example, one must take a dog out for walks. Dogs must not be allowed to run outside unleashed and owners must also ensure that it does not ‘do its business' at other people's homes or close to their premises."

Thanasayan also stressed the importance of educating pet owners on how to take care and to be responsible for their pets' welfare.

Speaking at the Petaling Jaya City Council yesterday, he also spoke out against the many people who kept dogs without applying for licences from the council.

NABBED: A stray caught in the MBPJ dog-catching exercise

Earlier in the morning, staff from the council's environmental health department, led by assistant officer Poobalan Subramaniam, conducted a stray dog-catching exercise at Taman Kanagapuram, Section 18, PJ.

Unlike recent reports of animal abuse when council officers were capturing strays, the four officers involved only used long sticks with nets and ropes attached at the end. Three stray dogs were captured during the exercise and are to be sent to PAWS, an animal pound in Subang run by volunteers.

Thanasayan, who is also a dog lover, was pleased with the way the staff handled the exercise."They did not mistreat the dogs while trying to catch them. They tried coaxing the dogs, talking to them, and when they had the ropes around the dogs' necks, the officers gently brought the dogs into the cage."

Also present yesterday to monitor the dog-catching process was a district veterinary officer from the Department of Veterinary Services, Dr Thiba Rajoo.

"I think that the exercise was well conducted. There was no mistreatment. This is the way dog-catching should be and I hope other councils will follow this example when conducting their own exercises," said Dr Thiba.

She also suggested that a forum be conducted to educate dog owners. "There are some dog owners who have
not even brought their dogs for vaccination shots, which is very important.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) You may also visit our homepage which is www.petpositive.com.my