aNt's aNgle:Here is a most interesting post I received from a reader on the recent search and rescue dog put down controversy.
Although he wishes to remain anonymous for reasons better known to him or her, I find that his (I'll call him a "he") engagement on the issue is the most matured that I've come across to date.
Here is what he wrote - and my reply to him. Don't forget to write in and share your thoughts as well:
Hi Anthony,
I understand that if an animal is suffering, putting it to sleep would be the best thing to do but... only after exhausting all channels to keep it alive.
If the fire department feels that the dogs are burdensome in cost to keep further, announce it to the public with a warning that it would take a great deal of commitment to re-house them.
I would not be surprised if someone wants to take up the challenge. If yes, the dog(s) have a saviour. If not, too bad.
The worse thing for the fire department to do was to perform the task and then put it on their Facebook as if it were some kind of badge of honour.
To make matters even more incredulous, an incognito officer from the department said that the dogs could be rehomed, after the deed had been done. I mean, this is crazy!
You now have two possible stories; the dogs were crippled and needed to be taken out and the other is the dogs could be looked after in their old age.
Who do you believe?
Dear Anonymous,
You have obviously understood the issue very well.
You are right that the most responsible thing to do is to exhaust all possibilities before euthanising the animals.
But that does not seem to be the case here according to The Star report. Apparently a panel of veterinarians had already professionally advised Put To Sleep because of health reasons.
So, there is technically no reason to re-home to start off with.
This "mystery" really lies with why the animal doctors came up with that decision. Will they tell us especially as they are not obligated to is anyone's guess.
Speculation abounds that the Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Datuk Dr Aziz Jamuluddin will finally put to rest that matter in a press conference apparently scheduled for tomorrow.
That will be interesting to see. In the meantime, I am trying to get in touch with the Bomba people to try and get down to what really happened.
Anonymous, you are also right to say that the Fire folks could have announced to the public about the possibility of re-homing. That would be a noble thing to do.
But then again, we don't know if these highly trained dogs are allowed to be re-homed by the public as a policy and part of its after-care.
The decision is - whether we all like it or not - ultimately in the hands of the Detection Unit just like the decision to put down a dog humanely is ultimately the right of every pet owner and there appears there is nothing a damn thing that anyone can do about it.
However, you are very right to question the reason and the manner in which the Fire boys decided to put the event on their Facebook.
It was so callously done that it appeared to show that they were actually proud about it. There was obviously no "brain on duty" there.
Regarding the "incognito officer" you mention, I would not take his credentials too seriously. Number one he remains shamefully anonymous. Two, he is only a trainer.
How would he possibly be able to ascertain for sure that the canines are re-home-able material without the other vital missing puzzles in the picture.
A large chunk of the mystery still lies with the DVS and the Fire Department for now.
Thanks for sharing your views.
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