Action To Be Taken If Dogcatchers Are Found Guilty

PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS!

DATELINE KLANG, SELANGOR: 

Around 30-residents from Taman Radzi met up with their Member of Parliament Charles Santiago for a serious dialogue on procedures on canine control in the area.

The meeting which was held at 11 this morning was also attended by the Klang Municipal Council's (MPK) Director of Health Mr Zulkifli Bin Abbas - along with his staff in-charge-of-canine affairs Mr Zakaria Ismail and Miss Noor Aina Bt Zakaria.

Also present were two local councillors Mr Tee Boon Hock and Robert Choo Teck Keong.

The meeting which lasted for two hours, was called after a fracas broke-out on Wednesday evening when MPK's dogcatchers responded to a complaint call from a resident in the area about the stray situation.

Whilst MPK does not practice catching strays in the evening hours an exception, however, was made in the caller's case because the canine was said to only appear during the evening.

The trouble started when the dogcatchers allegedly caught two dogs belonging to an owner. 

The canines were being taken for a walk by a maid at the time. One was reportedly on a leash whilst the other wasn't. Both pets were said to be unlicensed.

The canines were returned to the owner after they vehemently protested against the dogcatchers' action. (MPK issued them a notice to obtain pet licenses at once.) 

The maid claimed that the dogcatchers had seized the canines by force and bundled it into their van. 

The owner, as well as those at the scene, also alleged that the dogcatchers were rude and rough in their actions, both to the animals as well to the residents.

Dogcatchers in local council (PBT) have been under constant criticism by animal rights groups for their uncaring and inhumane methods when trapping them.

Animal NGOs want to see a complete stop of cruel practises by PBTs. 

MP Santiago ordered for a detailed report from MPK on the matter.

He has requested for it to be handed to him by two weeks time. 

Mr Zulkifli on his part has promised a full investigation. 

"I DO NOT and WILL NOT tolerate such actions if anyone is found to be guilty," he said to PET+BLOGSPOT afterwards, and confirmed that the investigations will commence tomorrow.

"Whoever is found guilty will be referred to the Yang DiPertua Tuan Mislan Bin Tugiu and appropriate action will be taken afterward," he added.

Mr Zulkifli took the opportunity to brief the residents at the discussion on MPK's special Canine Advisory Team (CAT) committee on dogs and its progress to date. 

The residents were reported to be pleased by what they heard. They were also happy by the response taken by MPK and their Member of Parliament.

When contacted by PET+BLOGSPOT, the MPK Councillors, also expressed their satisfaction, especially Robert Khoo who manages the affected area, by the report presented to them by Mr Zulkifli about CAT's workings with MPK. 

Mr Zulkifli also took some time to clarify some points that were raised by PET+BLOGSPOT after the dialogue:

He said that food is currently being supplied by SPCA Selangor on a twice-weekly basis. MPK collects it from them at their shelter in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

When asked about when MPK will be able to start buying their own food for the canines in the pound, Zulkifli said he expects a budget approval in one-and-a-half-months time.

Wire loops will cease to be used from tomorrow and replaced by rubber-surfaced ones, he said. 

As for puppies, MPK still has a practice in force not to catch them - unless they are with their mothers or when the public surrender them at the pound. 

No healthy puppies are put down but the public is always encouraged to adopt them by calling MPK at 03 3371 6044/6141.

TOMMOROW IN PET+BLOGSPOT: WE ARE NOT DOG-KILLERS SAYS AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER WHO VISITED MALAYSIA RECENTLY       

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