All Necessary Steps Were Undertaken To Euthanise National Canine Service Dogs

The Star, Wednesday March 20, 2013

Service animals cannot be given away

PUTRAJAYA: Animals used in the civil service cannot be given away or adopted for purposes that are against what they were trained for by the Government, according to a policy outlined by the Treasury Department.

If the animals can no longer perform their roles effectively, they must be kept as a live asset of the Government until they become incurably ill, said Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.

His statement was issued in reference to eight sniffer and detection dogs belonging to the Fire and Rescue Department that were put down two weeks ago, an action which earned the ire of Netizens and animal lovers after photos of the euthanasia were published on Facebook.

Dr Abdul Aziz defended the decision to put to sleep the aged and ill dogs, maintaining that it was done in accordance with local and international procedures.

“We inspected the animals and found that all eight had chronic diseases, such as relating to the heart and kidneys.

“By procedure, if the animal is diseased, unproductive or cacat (disabled), as custodians of the animals we must do something so that their suffering is not prolonged.
“I think that they (the Fire and Rescue Department) fulfilled all disposal methods in a humane way,”

Dr Abdul Aziz said at the department's office here yesterday.

He explained that the decision to euthanise the dogs was made in accordance with regulations, including the Terrestrial Animal Health Code by the World Organisation of Animal Health, the Treasury Department's Procedure for Management of Live Assets (Animals) as well as Veterinary Services Department standard operating procedures.

The eight service dogs that were put down were about 11 years old, equivalent to some 60 to 70 human years.

The dogs of various breeds had been trained to search for victims during urban disasters and cadavers on land and water.

“I want to reassure the public that service dogs under the various uniformed departments are being treated with nothing less than what they should get.

“We will also hold talks with these departments soon to deliberate on the treatment of service animals,” said Dr Abdul Aziz.

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