Dr Chandra To Speak At Two Key Local Councils' Function Soon

Dr Chandra at MBPJ Dog Forum 2009

PETPOSITIVE BREAKING NEWS!

DATELINE: PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE, PETALING JAYA

PETPOSITIVE ADVISER DR CHANDRA MUZAFFAR WILL SPEAK AT TWO KEY EVENTS ON DISABILITY AND ANIMAL RIGHTS AND WELFARE IN SELANGOR IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

The renowned social activist and academic will be a key speaker later this month.

He will be speaking at a special seminar organised by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to mark the United Nations-sponsored  International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) which falls today.

Dr Muzaffar, who is also the Noordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies at the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in Penang, will address as many as a 100-key community leaders and business stakeholders on the issue of disability access and rights at a full day seminar in Petaling Jaya.  

During a light moment with aNt

He will also be speaking at a half-day forum on responsible pet ownership in mid-January of next month.

That event, which is being put together by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK), will target animal lovers in an education awareness effort to reduce stray animal populations and pet complaints in the royal town of Klang.

Said Anthony SB Thanasayan - who who is MBPJ Disability Committee chairman and PJ city councillor - as well as chairman for MPK's Canine Advisory Team:

"Dr Chandra is the ideal speaker on both topics because of his rich experience as a disabled person himself; as well as leader in bringing about religious understanding, moral and social values to many of the issues confronting our world today.

Animal-lover YB Ronnie Liu opened the 2009 forum

"Dr Chandra was a hit with animal lovers when he gave his keynote address at a World Animal Day forum by MBPJ in November of 2009 - particularly on aspects of religion and animal care," Thanasayan pointed out to PET+BLOGSPOT.

Both events will be launched by YB Dr A Xavier Jayakumar, chairman of Selangor state's Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee.

Please keep it right here for the latest news on these developments.

Let us also know what you think about these upcoming events.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and 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 is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog 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 as 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. Thank you!

NEWSFLASH! Pet Lovers Laud Change; Having High Hopes for Dogs in Selayang and Rawang

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA: 

PET LOVERS are hailing yesterday's Newsflash in PET+BLOGSPOT (BIG CHANGE SOON IN DOG CARE IN SELAYANG) about a significant shift of approach towards animals by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

In a meeting chaired by MPS Head Yang DiPertua Dato Zainal Abidin Azim, the promise that the local council will see to it that the treatment of all animals within the municipality will be done with care and respect is being seen by animal lovers and veterinarians alike as a major breakthrough in the area of animal rights and welfare concerns.
 
Leading the list of delighted readers is Erica Chum.

Chum, an individual pet rescuer, was the first to highlight the poor conditions of the dog pound in Selayang to animal welfare groups and blogs last month.

In fact, she told PET+BLOGSPOT that she has been concerned about the pound (which was located elsewhere previously) for several years. 

"I used to wake up at 6am every weekends to cook food for the dogs," she said. "I would then carry 8 kilograms of rice and dog kibble together with canned food and travel a good way to MPS to feed the pound dogs," she added. 

"I also use to bail out injured dogs and puppies and rush them to the veterinary clinic using my own hard-earned money to pay for their expenses.

"I am so happy that the MPS President has stepped in to resolve the issue. My thanks also go out to all the councillors involved in yesterday's meeting."

Former MPS Councillor for Zone 16 Gurdip Kaur was also ecstatic by the news. 

"I certainly think that MPS has made a very commendable move by wanting to set up a canine committee to look into animal rights and welfare issues - as well as concerns by non pet-lovers in the constituency," she said whilst being interviewed on the telephone. 

Gurdip, who is also instrumental in setting up an OKU committee in MPS says it is now up the the council to keep up to its word to carry out its promise.

"Having served and worked with the local council for a year, I have no doubt that MPS will carry out what it says under the leadership of the Dato YDP," concluded Gurdip who has a service dog by the name of Dusty.

A resident from Selayang who wishes only to be identified as Kitty Kat, emailed us at petpositive@yahoo.com to congratulate members of the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) and YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the Selangor state executive director of Health for initiating the latest victory:

"I have been following some of the blogs and postings that have been condemning CAT and you Mr Thanasayan for your excellent efforts in diplomacy and dialogue - all to bring a better quality of care for the hapless animals at the pound.

"They must all be eating humble pie with the latest news. Serves them right too. 

"I hope that by your perseverance, politeness and respect for both animals and humans, CAT will continue to make a difference for all animals - both the two-legged and four-legged - at the local councils.

"CAT has been able to do what even the SPCA, MDDB, SAS could not do recently or over the years. Keep on meowing all the way to greater victories to you and your intrepid team!" Concluded Kitty Kat. 


Yesterday's meeting decided to focus on several urgent matters.

They include ensuring the dogs at the pound were fed properly and animals that are sick are put down promptly by the DVS or a veterinarian. 


Meanwhile CAT Chairman Anthony Thanasayan cautions that yesterday was only a first meeting. 

"Please don't expect instant changes," he says. 

"It would take several more weeks and months before everything is put in place properly," he adds.      

"The fact that the YDP is now involved fully in matters regarding the pound; the Department of Veterinary Services - both in Gombak and Putrajaya's - professional guidance is being sought together with regular spot-checks conducted; the MPS councillors are heading the committee and YB Dr Xavier is being briefed on the latest developments is plenty reason enough for all of us to remain highly optimistic that the changes that we are looking for will definitely come about.

"And what a great day that will be for MPS itself, when it does!" Thanasayan concluded.
          
YOUR FEEDBACK PLEASE: What do you think about the above story?
Do you think that the MPS move is a good one? Will they stick to their word? Is this a better way to work with local councils? Can MPS become the best pound in Selangor? 

Tell us your views in the comments section. Please remember to keep your feedback polite and constructive. Thank you! 

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

We take pride in the fact that everything you read in our blog is ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST.

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 35,000 hits. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated frequently.

Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

DVS' Advice To Eat Dogs At Stray Workshop Infuriates Dog Lovers - The Sun

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS :: Local News
Suggestion to consume strays shot down
by Meena L. Ramadas

(Picture by Petpositive)


PETALING JAYA (March 7, 2010): People with a penchant for exotic meat should be allowed to buy dogs from dog pounds for consumption, Veterinary Services Department (VSD) deputy director general Dr Ahmad Suhaimi Omar says.


Ahmad Suhaimi, who made the suggestion at a forum on effective animal pound management organised by the Petaling Jaya City Council’s Canine Advisory Team last week, said people who have no qualms about eating dog meat should be allowed to eat dogs kept in pounds.


“Do we have to keep the dogs at the pounds forever?” he asked. “They are animals, just like chickens or goats,” he added.


He said consuming dogs kept in pounds will help to check the number of strays at the pounds and help address any unmanageable increase of strays.


His suggestion sparked an outburst from a veterinarian who was among those attending the forum.


Without identifying herself, the vet, who appeared to be quite emotional, said: “About consuming dogs, the answer is simply no.”


She said as an animal lover, it was unimaginable to consume dogs and strays at that.


“I find the suggestion inhumane and cruel,” she said.


Ahmad Suhaimi responded by saying he too did not have the stomach to eat stray dogs, but as a veterinarian who is required to think clinically, it is important to consider all options when dealing with the issue of strays.


“I like to think outside the box,” he said with a laugh, which received some sniggers from those present.


Ahmad Suhaimi’s pitch, however, did not make the cut.


The forum made five recommendations for animal pound management.


This were that local councils should work with the veterinary department; local councils should cooperate with NGOs on catching strays; micro-chipping canines for easy ownership identification, educating pet owners and more stringent licensing laws.


A total of 12 local councils participated in the forum which was held in light of media reports last week about the appalling conditions at the Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS) dog pound.


State executive councillor for health Dr Xavier Jayakumar, at a press conference earlier, said municipal councils have been instructed to maintain cleanliness at their pounds, and to work with the VSD. Officers in charge also have to treat sick animals and follow guidelines when euthanising them. -- theSun



PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

We take pride in the fact that everything you read in our blog is ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST.

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 35,000 hits. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated frequently.

Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

Trouble In Selayang Pound (Updated)

PETPOSITIVE BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: 

7.20PM: MBPJ/MPK CHAIRMAN ANTHONY THANASAYAN HAS JUST GOT IN TOUCH WITH MPS COUNCILLOR TUAN GUNARAJAH GEORGE (Pix Right) WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE AREA WHERE THE MPS DOG POUND IS. 

TUAN GUNARAJAH, WHO ALSO HAS TWO DOGS HIMSELF, HAS PROMISED TO VISIT THE RAWANG DOG POUND TOMORROW TO INVESTIGATE THE CRUELTY CLAIMS. 

HE SAYS THAT IF THE REPORTS ARE TRUE, HE WILL ACT ON IT IMMEDIATELY.

THE NGO-BASED COUNCILLOR HAS KINDLY OFFERED TO GIVE THANASAYAN AN UPDATE OF THE LATEST SITUATION THERE.

MEANWHILE, SELANGOR EXCO HEAD YB DR XAVIER JAYAKUMAR WHO IS IN CHARGE OF HEALTH AND A CARING GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

UPDATES HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO YB RONNIE LIU, THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

The original news report is as follows:   

WE ARE RECEIVING RATHER DISTURBING NEWS of a potential canine abuse situation once again from another dog pound in the state of Selangor.


However, PET+BLOGSPOT! is unable to make an independent confirmation of the news report at this time.


An animal activist informer for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor has alleged that the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) pound in Rawang, Selangor is in a "terrible (condition with) many dead dogs."


"(The canines) are confined without food and water," the Short Messaging Service (SMS) went on from the informer who is said to have sent the message today whilst at the MPS pound site.

"Many of the carcass (canines) were wrapped (up) in black plastic bags and disposed at MPS' pound entrance," she claimed. 

"(There was) no food and water for the dogs (and) when I questioned them (pound workers), they replied that they have no container!


(The dogs) have green discharge over their eyes and noses. One dog was eating its poo (just a few moments ago)."


The SMS messages which was sent by the Selangor SPCA to the Department of Veterinary Services and others came with some strong pictures (to be displayed here soon) that appear to support the report.

NEWS JUST IN: SPCA has issued another call to DVS to intervene in the MPS pound. The Society is also taking in the carcass to UPM tomorrow for a post mortem. The SPCA has also expressed its concern to a Selangor State representative.

MEANWHILE, PETPOSITIVE President Anthony SB Thanasayan who is also Chairman of the Canine Advisory Teams of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) when contacted by PET+BLOGSPOT says that he has been unable to contact the Health Department Director of MPS this afternoon as it is a public off day.

However Thanasayan says that he is closely monitoring the latest reports and hopes to get down to the matter by 12noon tomorrow at the very latest.

He has also approached a senior official from the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) for help in some intervention. 

Please stay logged on to PET+BLOGSPOT! for the latest updates on this matter.     

PET+BLOGSPOT!


PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).


We take pride in the fact that everything you read in our blog is ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST.


Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 35,000 hits. 

PET+BLOGSPOT is updated frequently.


Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.


You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my