I would like to comment about the recent media reports regarding the killing of nine pedigree dogs which I understand was carried out by officers of the Kuala Langat District Council.
The reports went on to say that the dogs were killed without any veterinary assessment and also without the benefit of an appropriate behavioural assessment of the dogs being made by a professional body such as the SPCA.
Apart from the shocking nature of the act itself, it is hard to understand why public officials in Malaysia seem incapable of appreciating how damaging this kind of action is to their country's image at home and abroad.
Time and again it seems, Malaysia's good name is brought into disrepute whenever the welfare of animals is involved.
The Mayhew Animal Home and Humane Education Centre has been rescuing and caring for abandoned and unwanted animals in London since 1886 and today our work extends to places as far afield as Afghanistan, Russia, India and Nepal, where we advise city governments, provide special training for veterinarians and animal management personnel and promote best practise across a wide spectrum of animal welfare activity.
We have a network of contacts across the globe and in recent years we have received an increasing number of disturbing reports from Malaysia about the treatment of animals there.
Apart from the concerns voiced regularly by local animal welfare activists in Kuala Lumpur, this latest report about the destruction of the nine dogs joins a long list of critical independent reports from contacts in Europe and Asia after they had visited Kuala Lumpur on business or as tourists.
From a purely professional point of view, I would be interested to know what selection procedures are applied when local or district councils recruit staff to work with animals in a professional capacity and, crucially, what level of training is provided?
Malaysia is a successful country that relies on international commerce, tourism and the financial sector and has a right to be proud of its achievements in a fiercely competitive world. However, Malaysia's image abroad is in danger of being tarnished by reports such as this latest one regarding the killing of these dogs.
The country also suffers from the negative impressions left with visitors to cities like Kuala Lumpur when they witness stray companion animals being treated with little respect or compassion, especially when this is done by the very people officials responsible for them.
A visitor to Kuala Lumpur earlier this year later described to me the conditions in some of KL's municipal dog shelters as 'truly appalling and so grim that any city should be ashamed of them.' He went on to say that this was his first visit with his family to Malaysia – and also his last.
The Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council website waxes lyrical about the joys of visiting Kuala Lumpur, exclaiming: 'KL offers a wholly unique experience to visitors.' As someone who has a great affection for Malaysia and its people, I am sad to say that the individuals who contact us about distressing animal welfare issues after they have visited KL make it very clear that they have had 'a unique experience' that is far removed from the image projected by the Tourism Action Council and is most assuredly one they do not wish to repeat.
The writer is attached to the International Department, Mayhew Animal Home & Humane Education Centre, London.
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1 comment:
There has been a lot of noise ever since the pic of 2 teens posted pic of them torturing a puppy. I'm wondering y now? Everyday there so many animals tortured & laughtered to feed this noisy bunch but they dont care abt it but juz b'coz someone posted a pic appeared e/body started jumping and shouting animals has rite to live. If they do then why does this bunch killing the animals to feed them? If they realy care abt animals welfare then they should be vegan.
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