It's A Circus - Animal Group Demonising Euthanasia

aNt's aNgle: 

 

So now it's our heroes, the fire department's boys' turn to be placed on the dock by certain ravenous so-called "animal lovers" for putting down some of their retired canine partners last week.

 

And again, euthanasia or "mercy killing" is being flung around again like a dirty and filthy piece of trash when in reality, it is really a life-saver for animals with no hope at all. 

 

And never mind that the instructions to put to sleep reportedly had come from a panel of expert veterinarians.

 

But no, these group of animal quack "experts" claim to know better than the animal doctors.

 

Then comes one absolute nutter who says "it is easy" to adopt elderly dogs like the "maimed, blind and deaf." 

 

It's a circus of misplaced emotions, at best. 

 

There is just no way to reason with anyone who equates the life of animals to the same status of that of human beings.

 

If animals are to be compared with exactly the same value of human beings, then why don't we send out blind dogs to learn Braille, or to rehabilitation centres where humans are?

 

Why would anyone want to keep blind dogs alive just to be able to eat their meals for the day? Where is their quality of life in that?

 

And as for these human adopters, what I would like to know is how well-trained are these adopters to take on dogs with geriatric and disability needs? 

 

Can they afford to give these canine heroes the very best in terms of veterinary costs of such specialised nature? 

 

Do we have such resources here in Malaysia? 

 

Don't the Fire Department have the right to decide what is best for their dogs? After all, they did not decide to bludgeon, poison, abandon or starve them to death.

 

Instead they opted for a humane and dignified method to say their farewell.      

 

Let's make no mistake about it folks, euthanasia is never easy. But it is a God-given relief for animals with no hope.

 

God knows, right-to-die groups are also now clamoring for "mercy-killing" as well. 

 

Admittedly, the only good thing that the animal lovers have raised is to question the merit of necessity of putting an animal down.

 

There is also talk that some of the dogs that belong to the rescue service are not old and apparently have no medical problems. 

 

It seems that they are put down as well. But these allegations need to be proved.  

 

And if ever any of these dogs are fit for adoption, it should really go to its trainer and no one else.

 

That's because of the deep bond that these highly trained canines share with their human partners in being able to do what they do.

 

Anyone who really knows dogs know that canines don't worry about death as much as parting with their human partners. 

 

They should never be adopted by others in case these highly skilled animals suffer abuse from their adopters.

 

Every dog owner has the responsibility to ensure to make the transition of their pets as comfortable and painless as possible when that time comes. 

 

It's called euthanasia. Thank God!

 

Here is today's article in The Star on the subject.              

 

Thursday March 14, 2013

Fire Department's decision to put eight K9 unit dogs to sleep sparks outrage among animal lovers

PETALING JAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department has euthanised eight of its sniffer and detection dogs, drawing flak from animal lovers.

The incident came to light after the department's K9 Unit announced the euthanasia on its Facebook page and posted pictures of the dogs being put to sleep.

Its corporate management division assistant director-general Sobberi Basiran said the dogs were put down last week based on advice from the K9 Unit's panel of veterinarians from the Veterinary Services Department.

“The dogs were not as alert as before and some of them had issues such as degenerating kidneys,” he said, adding that the dogs were already 10 years old, which was equivalent to 55 or 58 in human age.
The K9 Unit, added Sobberi, was in the process of acquiring new dogs, adding that this was also the reason for the eight dogs to be euthanised.

“It was also for economic reasons as we did not want to incur double costs in maintaining the dogs,” he said.

Sobberi said there were provisions in the Treasury's orders, under which the dogs were considered as the nation's living assets, for them to be put up for adoption upon retirement.

Asked why the department did not put the dogs up for adoption, Sobberi reiterated that the K9 unit had followed the veterinarians' advice.

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

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said he would find out why the department had euthanised the animals instead of re-homing them.

“I think it's unfair to put them to sleep without valuing their services to the nation,” said Chor, adding that he himself was disturbed after reading about the dogs' euthanasia from social media sites.

“I immediately asked the department for an explanation. I was told the dogs were very old and some of them were sick but I will still look into the matter,” he said.

Canine advocacy and welfare group Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) said the department's action was reflective of a lack of empathy for dogs here.

“The dogs would have found homes immediately if the department had taken the initiative to announce that they were being retired and put up for adoption,” said its rescue coordinator Irene Low.
It would be easy to re-home these canines as dog lovers had adopted much older animals, which were maimed, blind or even deaf, Low pointed out.

Furry Friends Farm president Myza Nordin said the department should have reached out to animal welfare groups.

“Their illustrious careers should not have tragically ended with euthanasia,” she said.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!