After parking our cars, we heard a dog howling, more like a painful cry. Then, we noticed a dog being tied to the grill (steel fence) of the KTM station. As we approached the dog, we stood aghast at the sight. The stray dog's leg and neck was tied very tightly to the grill and a piece of wood had been shoved down inside its throat! The dog was bleeding and its feces were all around it. The string was attached to a pole in the KTM station.
Immediately, we confronted the KTM workers. They said that it was done by Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers because a minister was to be visiting the station next week. They failed to explain further.
At once, we called the SPCA and the Paws animal welfare society. The SPCA responded efficiently by informing us that an animal control officer would be there soon. We made a slight commotion in front of the KTM station but the KTM workers were not concerned at all.
After about an hour, as we were returning to the KTM Kepong Central Station, we received a call from the SPCA officer stating that the dog was now not tied up and was moving around. When we 
arrived, the dog was limping. The same KTM workers avoided us as we tried to confront them. A passer-by told us that the dog has been that way for quite some time.
arrived, the dog was limping. The same KTM workers avoided us as we tried to confront them. A passer-by told us that the dog has been that way for quite some time. The SPCA officer could not capture the dog as it walked away for quite a distance. He advised us to write to the media and to the SPCA as well.
Doesn't our country's animal rights support the idea that an animal has the right to live its life without being harmed and hurt by humans? We realize that people define the meaning of animal rights and abuse in different ways but aren't the citizens of our country merciful?
This dog could have been just put to sleep if it had been harming the public or causing a nuisance. Why stick a wooden stick down its throat?
(NOTE: This letter appeared on Malaysiakini on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.)
LATEST: We are made to understand that Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has since responded to the above-mentioned letter. The following is a summary of their response:
- KTMB acknowledges full responsibility for what had transpired and declares that Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur is not at all involved. It was the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) that they say should have been involved but took no action on their complaints.
- They agree that cruelty on stray dog is "uncivilized and intolerable by any religion and race in the world."
- The dog-in-question has been a problem for about two years. The dog had "attacked and bitten (KTM's) passengers" but with no "serious injuries." The last attack was on the evening of the day after it was released from being forcefully tied on KTMB's gate. The canine was also a nuisance with its frequent defecation on the station's platforms as well for Muslim passengers who feared coming in contact with the animal for religious reasons.
- KTMB caught the animal "at around 12.00 noon and released at 1.30pm." The KTMB staff did not "shove a piece of wood into the dog's throat" as reported. The wood was used as "bait" and apparently got wedged in the dog's mouth as the animal kept biting it. The staff only managed to remove it from its jaw during a second attempt. The dog was tied to the fence and released only after realising that the MPS was not coming to collect the animal. The canine was last reported to be within the vicinity.
- KTMB reiterates that action was taken against the animal in the interest of providing safety and well-being to its passengers. However they admit that the means that they took was "questionable". Never again, they promise. Future crises will be handled by the local councils concerned with advice from the SPCA.
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5 comments:
Thank you for printing KTMB's response. Whilst I can accept some parts of their explanation like they needing to take action because the dog posed a threat and a nuisance to its passengers, I can't help feeling that there are some cover-ups in the story. Did they really use the stick as a "bait" as they claim or poke the dog to see how it would react?
KTMB should have a second inquiry to get down to see if deliberate cruelty was involved by its staff. If found guilty, they should be sent for religious class as well as made to do some community service with animal organisations like PETPOSITIVE, PAWS or SPCA for instance.
Thank you for your post. I think KTMB should be responsible for finding the dog and paying the medical bills to make the animal well again.
After that, they should pay for the rehoming of the animal, if possible, to a good home.
If all fails, the animal should be euthanised - at KTMB's expense.
That is a TRUE APOLOGY!
Dear Sir,
This is the first visit to your amazing blog.
There is a wealth of information here to read and learn on animal-assisted therapy, the disabled and the elderly.
To tell you the truth, I was directed here by (DELETED BY EDITOR) a local dog blog that claims to be authored by a bitch (female dog).
I was shocked to see the blog run you down because of your disability.
Such hypocrisy from a group who profess to be lovers of animals when all they seem to spew out are profanities and slanderous statements against individuals who don't agree with them.
How can they ever love animals when they are devoid of feelings for human beings?
Let alone people with handicapping conditions like you!
Don't they realise that they too could be struck with a disability in a flash?
(My brother was until he passed away several months ago.)
And these people would probably come crawling to you for help the moment something happens to them or their loved ones or close friends.
My advice to you is to ignore these pathetic cowards, Mr Thanasayan.
And pray for mercy that their karma in condemning others will be reduced in some way.
In the meantime, keep writing and continue working the power of your notebook in your articles and in this super blog!
Thank you Mister-or-Miss-whoever-you-are for your encouraging words.
It's always a joy to come across new readers no matter from which source I receive them.
Please feel free to come by again. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily and we try to keep our stories as interesting and fresh as possible.
Warm regards,
this is no way to treat a dog or any animal. if the dog was posing a threat to others then let the relevant authorities who are equipped or trained to do the job. the dog maybe a stray but he deserves every right to live, breathe & stay on earth just like anyone of us here. it is up to the mighty One up there to decide when, where & how, us, living beings, go when the time comes. this is so very sad that mankind, with the given abilities that we can do, will do such harm to a helpless creature.
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