SPCA Penang Mulling Action Against Animal Group

 aNt's aNgle:

An animal group - whose notoriety seems to be in getting its hideous "canine" fangs where no one wants it - this time has apparently bit off more than it could chew. 

They have raised the heckles of one of the pioneer and notable animal welfare organisations in the country - the 64-year old Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Penang.

The incident occured when one of two dogs belonging to an elderly woman in Jalan Sri Bahari in the island was put to sleep by the Society after her death, believed to be from a heart attack.

The owner was found slumped in her living room for three days. (See The Star report below)

Penang SPCA said they had no choice but to put the canine down because it was "old, sickly and totally unable to walk."

However, the animal group would hear nothing of it. 

As a result, they and their followers have  launched their blistering attacks on the Penang SPCA's Facebook, trying to discredit the entire organisation for its action.

The second dog is currently under the care of the animal shelter. 

It will be rehomed to a suitable owner - if they can find one - in the island.

"We are doing the best we can to find a suitable owner for the remaining dog," a spokesperson told PET+BLOGSPOT this morning. 

Star Pix: One of the dogs of the deceased

"If we can't find an owner, we have no choice but to put it down according to the clearly written policies of the Society.

"We have no interest to play into the politics, emotions or secret agendas of any group," the spokesperson said.

Personally, I think it was good to initially question any public decision to put down any animal.

However, it is not right to judge and condemn any organisation's decision unless discussions are held with the group involved to gather all the facts before making a conclusion. 

Attempts are also being made to bring back the remaining dog from Penang to Selangor. 

My question is: whatever for? 

Aren't there enough animals already to rescue in Selangor without all the drama and costs of transport involved in bringing an animal in from another state?

Wouldn't this be an added trauma inflicted on the canine who is grieving over the loss of its owner?   

Is there any sort of hidden publicity behind the exercise in an attempt to sensationalise an issue in order to get more donations from the public?

And what would the deceased herself have wanted for her dogs in her permanent absence? 

Did any one bother to find out from her close relatives, perhaps?

For all you know, she may have expressed her wish to have them euthanised if something happens to her?

As for the Penang SPCA, the way I see it, they have absolutely every right to dispose any animal under their jurisdiction. 

The so-called "No-Kill" advocates (sic) - who hypocritically eat animals according to the fancies of their tastebuds - have no idea at all what it takes to run animal shelters, especially in instances of over-crowding. 

Here is SPCA Penang's response to the latest criticisms.      

"SPCA Penang Committee will be meeting at its earliest to respond to the request of MDDB for partaking possession of a dog from our shelter, a dog attended to by SPCA (Pg) from a house at Jln. Sri Bahari at the request of the property owner.

"SPCA(Pg) regrets the manner in which this matter has been handled by MDDB in which it has allowed its facebook to be used to work up publicity against a organisation in existence for 64 years attending to animal welfare. Language unbecoming of professionalism has been used. It upsets staff and people who are giving voluntary service.

"If MDBB is seriously concerned about animal welfare, it should sit down with other animal related organisations to see how best collectively we can solve the needless euthanasia of about 40,000 strays in the country every year, a very conservative figure. Instead, it chose to focus on one dog rescued by SPCA Penang to gain cheap publicity at the expense of another animal welfare organisation. It is best it concentrates its efforts to the magnitude of the problem.

"SPCA (Pg) is an independent organisation run by an elected committee and will not take directions from any outside organisations. It is capable of making independent decisions guided by its mission and its constitution.

"Your intentions may have been good but the manner your organisation acted is highly undesirable. It could have been discussed behind closed doors outside the glare of publicity, unless that was your first intention. If any useful dialogue is to be engaged with your organisation, SPCA (Pg) would demand an apology from MDDB for the damage it has tried to inflict to a sister organisation.

"As this dog is in our care, we do not see the urgency in decision making and will act in due course."

 

And here is The Star's report of the issue: 

 

Sunday February 5, 2012

Loyal canine rests in peace

GEORGE TOWN: The touching story of a dog’s loyalty to its master has come to a sad end.
Just four days after its owner’s body was found, one of her two mongrels had to be put to sleep on Friday.

Penang Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) administrator Lily Leng, 58, said the dog was old and sickly.

It was one of two dogs which had remained faithfully next to Lau Hun Nee, a 58-year-old retired tuition teacher who was found dead in her home, apparently after a heart attack.

It is believed that she had been dead for three days before police found her body at her house in Jalan Sri Bahari here on Jan 30.

“We had no choice but to put the dog to sleep as we did not want to prolong its suffering,” she said.
The other male mongrel, which is at least five years old, may suffer a similar fate if it is not adopted soon.

Leng said the dog appeared to have had surgery performed on it for a haematoma.

“I hope that there is a kind soul willing to adopt it. Otherwise, we may have to put it to sleep,” she said.
Those who wish to find out more about the dog can contact the SPCA at 04-281-6559.

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