PJ's First Dog-Friendly Park In The Pipeline

Friday June 14, 2013

STARMETRO: Land in Ara Damansara to be converted into dog park

Stories and photos by SHEILA SRI PRIYA
sheilasripriya@thestar.com.my

This plot of land in PJU 1A/5 in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya is located far from houses, has enough parking space and not too close to main roads.

GOOD news for dog owners living in Petaling Jaya — a plot of land in Ara Damansara has been identified to be converted into a dog park.

It will be the first public dog park managed by the local council.

The site is located in Jalan PJU 1A/5, Ara Damansara.

It is deemed suitable as it is located far from a residential area, has enough parking space and is not too close to main roads.

In the past, the land was used as a football field. However, it was left abandoned as people preferred to play futsal at a newly upgraded court nearby.

The matter was discussed during the recent Canine Advisory Team (CAT) meeting held at the Petaling Jaya City Council.

MBPJ councillor Anthony Thanasayan, who is also chairman of CAT, said the park should be ready for use within the next three months.

He said at present, dog owners did not have a place to walk their dogs.

The next step is to garner the support of residents and the councillor in the area Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin to agree to the park, said Thanasayan.

“We received requests from dog owners to set up a special park so they could walk their dogs.
“This will enable the dogs to de-stress and have a better quality of life.

“Dogs that get enough exercise will bark less. They need space for recreational activities and in the United States, there are similar parks dedicated to canines,” he added.

Thanasayan said the park would be fully fenced up and open to the public on a trial basis. Rules will be imposed upon dog owners.

“Initially, we may open the park only during weekends. Based on public and local council feedback, we will make improvements and eventually open it on a daily basis.

“We must ensure the park will be safe and no negative incidents occur,” he said.

Thanasayan also wants people to contact the local council and share their ideas on how to best manage the public dog park.

He said the council would prepare guidelines on the do’s and don’ts which would be displayed at the park entrance.

Malaysian Kennel Association director Ng Keng Ming said with proper local council governance, it was possible to make the park a success.

“With education, by-laws in place and responsible pet owners, we will have a society that is kinder to animals,” said Ng.

“I have a Rottweiler and as a responsible pet owner, I must take care of my dog and ensure it does not pose any danger to the public. I must also bring my dog for a walk every day,” he said.

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Malaysia Ricky Lee said the proposed site in Ara Damansara was suitable.

Lee has visited the area with his dog.

“The area is located in the outskirts. Hence, there should be no complaints from residents about the noise level,” he said.

The CAT meeting was attended by representatives from the MBPJ, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, other municipal councils in Selangor and animal welfare NGOs.

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 250,000 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.org 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!

WHEEL POWER: Even Dogs Need A Park

Thursday August 2, 2012

Even dogs need a park

WHEEL POWER
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

THERE are wonderful people out there who simply refuse to see handicaps in front of them. They would rather focus on the abilities of each individual they meet, and offer the best support possible for people with disabilities.

Last week brought many lessons for me as I got down to tackle one of my favourite subjects – dogs!
After a three-month “temporary absence” as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor, I managed to get our Canine Advisory Team (CAT) going again on Monday.

CAT is a special committee which looks into issues involving canines in the city and comes up with humane methods to solve the problems. The meeting was packed with representatives from MBPJ and other local councils.

Also present were representatives from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association, animal welfare NGOs and pet lovers.

We covered a wide range of topics during the three-hour meeting. The main focus was the need to have dog parks so that pets can have access to regular exercise. Human beings are not the only ones who find it therapeutic to walk in the park; even dogs do!

Canines that are confined at home or in a cage would be better adjusted socially and be less of a nuisance to local councils if they had a park to go to for regular exercise.

CAT decided to set up a committee to identify suitable areas to start a “test-case park” where owners who brought their dogs would be responsible for their pets. This means keeping them on a leash at all times, and promptly picking up after them.

On Wednesday it was another CAT meeting, this time with the Klang Municipality (MPK). I met up with MPK health director Zulkifli Abbas to talk about the launch of their local pound later this year.
MPK’s pound is set to become the nation’s first to follow to the letter the guidelines on pound management as set by the DVS. It is hoped that MPK’s pound will be a model for other pounds in the country. The MPK pound and PJ dog park will be wheelchair-friendly.

On Friday, the Malaysian Kennel Association and Petpositive met up with DVS director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin to express our concern over the tendency to target dogs instead of irresponsible pet owners who are really to blame when canines misbehave.

The outcome of that meeting is that the DVS will be coming out with a dog owner’s guidebook in October. The guide will also include a chapter on animal-assisted therapy.

My week ended on a positive note when I was invited to a dog seminar where MKA educated an audience of dog lovers on how to bring up their pets responsibly.

During the session on questions from the floor, someone insinuated that the recent dog mauling case involving an elderly jogger in Subang Jaya, may have happened because he provoked the animal.
In response, I pointed out that no matter how much we love dogs, no one should condone an animal attack, especially when a death has occurred.

Everyone has the right to a safe environment outside their homes. Dogs should be used for positive purposes such as for therapy and healing, never for anything that involves violence or injury.
No dog should be let outside its compound without being accompanied by its owner. A problem dog is the result of an irresponsible owner.

Check out the unabridged version on www.petpositive.blogspot.com on the weekend.

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!

MBPJ Studying Usefulness Of Dog Parks

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR:

PET LOVERS in Petaling Jaya could soon be taking their dogs for a walk in the park.

This has not been possible for public parks in the past because the council has marked them as off limits for dogs owing to irresponsible pet owners.

However MBPJ's Canine Advisory Team or CAT - a monthly committee of the Petaling Jaya City Council or MBPJ - has set up a team of animal lovers - to seriously study the viability of having dog-friendly parks in PJ.

To do this, the special CAT team will go out in the city and identify suitable areas to start the project.

"The main challenge will be to get pet owners to be responsible for their dogs in the park," said Anthony Thanasayan, Chairman of CAT and PETPOSITIVE President to PET+BLOGSPOT.

"We also have to speak to the respective resident's association and get the local MBPJ Councillor of the area to support such a move," he added.

"People need to be educated that dogs too need to be socialised and exercised in order to release their frustrations in some way. 

"Being locked up at home all the time will also contribute to barking and behaviour problems that will further add on to the council's complaint issues."

The special committee will include animal NGOs that have experience in managing canines.

PET+BLOGSPOT

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!

MBPJ's CAT Team To Tackle A Number Of Animal Issues

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!
DATELINE PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR:

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN persons attended the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) meeting of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) yesterday to discuss the welfare of animals in the city.

The meeting comprised of local government officials from MBPJ and other councils from the state of Selangor. 

They included councils from Shah Alam, Klang, Subang Jaya, Sabak Bernam and Sepang.

The Department of Veterinary Services also attended the meeting along with representatives from non governmental organisations.

The NGOs present were PETPOSITIVE, Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue, SPCA Selangor and the Malaysian Kennel Association. 

Others included the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association and and individual dog trainer.
 
The CAT meeting began with an observation of a minute silence by everyone over the death of animal activist Sabrina Yeap (left) last week.

The discussion lasted two and the half hours. 

The meeting discussed numerous issues from licensing of pet shops to the setting up of a spay clinic by local councils to reduce the number of stray animals. 

MBPJ's CAT was set up in 2008 shortly after Anthony Thanasayan became city councillor.    

PET+BLOGSPOT.

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!

Selangor Top Rep Reaches Out To Pets

A PETPOSITIVE SPECIAL PICTORIAL REPORT by Anthony SB Thanasayan. Pictures courtesy of MBPJ.

DATELINE PETALING JAYA: 

Residents living in Section Four of PJ - and their cherished pets - received a most pleasant surprise a fortnight ago when Selangor state executive councillor Dr A Xavier Jayakumar made an unannounced visit to their homes.

The head of Health, Caring Government, Poverty and Plantation Workers of Selangor was accompanied by an army of officers from the vector and health department of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

They went out on June 28 on a mission to check on the health and welfare conditions of residents' pets, as well as to take the necessary measures to curb the dengue menace.  

The exercise was part of the Canine Advisory Team (CAT)'s ongoing projects to look into the welfare of canines throughout PJ. Local councils from the Klang municipality (MPK) as well as Subang Jaya (MPSJ) also took part in the programme. 

CAT is a special monthly committee that looks into the welfare of canines and other animals. Petpositive, SPCA Selangor and PAWS - together with the Department of Veterinary Services - are also members of CAT.

(Above Top Left) Addressing members of the media: Head of MBPJ's Health Department Dr Hajah Sadiah binti Abdullah checks the very latest statistics on health from her laptop; Deputy Mayor Tuan Puasa bin Md Taib; YB Dr A Xavier Jayakumar; CAT Chairman Anthony SB Thanasayan; Acting Health Head of Subang Jaya Municipality Dr Roslan Bin Mohamed Hussin and Klang Municipality representative Miss Noor Aina Bt Zakaria. 

The team listening in to what is being briefed to the press by their bosses.

First visit to a welcoming resident. (Below) Dr Xavier says "hello" to his new canine pal. Hmm, sure smells like a VIP is what the furry chap seems to think with tail wagging after casting ferocious barks at his new friend moments earlier.

More friendly persuasion and getting-to-know-each-other session seemed to have done the trick.

 And voila! A very calm canine indeed.

 Look out mosquitoes, here we come!






Below: No Mozzy breeding ground left un-inspected. Every corner, crook and cranny need to be checked out.  

 

Aha! What do we have here? Nasty!

Hallo? Anybody home? Where's your doggies licenses please? Have they had a bath recently? Who is your vet? Taken your dog out for a walk lately?

These are all CAT-inspired questions. 

More doggies. But any responsible pet owners? We found quite a few canines being kept as mere watchdogs or strays being fed with little attention given to their medical needs or a proper shelter for them.

  

Although they had collars or were chained, they did not have licenses. This puts their pets in real danger of being hauled away by the council's dogcatchers when they are outdoors without their owners.

According to local council bylaws, all dogs should be on a leash and never without one when they are outside the compound of their houses.   

Here's a better looked-after pet trying to put up a brave defense against "Monday's invaders." He did a pretty good job, too. Well done boy!

A "house-stray" infested with ticks. This "pet" has a dangerous chance of getting tick-fever oblivious to the "owner".

It also stands a high risk of being caught by MBPJ and taken to PAWS where the animal shelter will then decide its fate.

Why can't those who feed the creature offer it a loving home and take the animal in under their care? Is this too much to ask? 

Before calling it quits for the morning, a house-owner gets a friendly lesson on dengue protection by The Man himself. Looking on is Dr Chitra, a medical doctor from MBPJ.   

All in a day's work. Part of the "army" taking a breather to have a snapshot taken.

As you can tell, they couldn't stop talking about the experience. So much so, they all forgot to look at the camera.

It was a learning experience for everyone. None of those who came in trouble with breaking the laws that day was fined. They had one week to make the necessary amendments.

Thank you Dr Xavier and three cheers to CAT MBPJ!

Click HERE for more on this story.  

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. 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 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. 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

WEEKEND VIEW: CAT Goes For Canines

aNt's aNgle:

All of us at the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had a great time with Yang Berhormat Dr Xavier A Jayakumar last week. 

That was when CAT organised a special exercise to go down to the ground of residents' homes with the Selangor state executive councillor to check if they were looking after their dogs and cats properly as well as  keeping their homes dengue-free.

The event proved to be a thumping success. Quite a few of the residents hadn't an inkling that the main gentleman at their gate was actually a top brass representing Selangor for, among others, public health as well as a caring government. 

Some of the most poignant moments were when Dr Xavier bowed down to pet a dog in a kennel and when he went close to a filthy drain to inspect it.

Here are the various reports by the media that covered the story for your reading pleasure.   

The first was by Malaysiakini's Leven Woon who published the story on the same day (28 June, 2010) that the exercise was held:  

"10,318 cases of dengue were reported in Selangor since January with Kajang reporting the most cases, totalling 1,930.

Selangor state executive councillor Xavier Jayakumar, while officiating a dengue and dog inspection, said so far 32 people have died of dengue fever in the state.

While Kajang only recorded one fatality, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya both reported six deaths whereas three died of the fever in Petaling Jaya.

Area By Municipality	Reported Cases	Confirmed Cases	Death
MPKJ	1930	11	1
MPSA	1114	29	6
MPAJ	1161	53	2
MPSJ	1450	26	6
MBPJ	1061	14	3

“The clusters will normally spread in the early and end quarters of a year. (The cases) will then reach a mod high every two years,” Xavier said before leading the inspection team in Section 4, Petaling Jaya today.

He said uncollected rubbish and abandoned projects are the main contributors to the high number of cases.

During the inspections at Jalan 4/43 and Jalan 4/46, Xavier singled out wooden premises that were prime breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying aedes mosquitoes. Their grounds were strewn with litter in plastic bags, he noted, which should not have been allowed in the first place.

Xavier (left) and an MBPJ official

The team also went from door to door, visiting dog owners, examining licenses and checking on the well-being of the dogs.

MBPJ councilor and Petpositive NGO chairman Anthony Thanasayan said that there were dog owners who were ignorant about their pets’ nutritional needs including what to feed them as well as how often.

“Hence, today our aim is not just to knock on their doors and fine them. More importantly, we want to educate them on the ways to improve the (quality) of (the animals’ care).”

Anthony said that the council’s staff, including the Canine Advisory Team (CAT), were also given training on proper animal handling,

Also present were health officials from Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

Anthony said similar inspections would be done in those municipalities soon.

He meanwhile reiterated his stand to increase the fine for animal cruelty from the current RM200 to RM10,000.

“I know the Department of Veterinary Services is on track in seeking an increase, but I suggest perhaps MBPJ can do it faster.”



Streets, New Straits Times by Sheila Sri Priya on 29th June:

32 dengue deaths in Selangor as of June
 Dr Xavier Jayakumar visiting a house in Section 4 Petaling Jaya The objective of the visits were to check if residents have licences for their dogs and to spot dengue breeding ground in their homes. — Picture by Saifullizan Tamadi

Dr Xavier Jayakumar visiting a house in Section 4 Petaling Jaya The objective of the visits were to check if residents have licences for their dogs and to spot dengue breeding ground in their homes. — Picture by Saifullizan Tamadi


PETALING JAYA: Thirty-two deaths due to dengue were recorded up to early June this year for Selangor.

State executive councillor for Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Dr Xavier Jayakumar said these were from the 332 confirmed dengue cases and majority of them were in the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council areas where there were 55 cases and two deaths.

This was followed by areas within the Shah Alam City Council with 29 cases and six deaths, Subang Jaya Municipal Council (26 cases and six deaths), Petaling Jaya City Council (14 cases and three deaths) and Kajang Municipal Council (11 cases and one death).


Xavier said every once in two years there would be a major dengue breakout and the peak would be during the first and last quarter of the year.

He added dengue was no longer a problem associated with the rural areas, as more and more cases were recorded in urban areas with high density population, uncollected rubbish and abandoned projects.

He also said there was an increase in the number of mosquito breeding grounds, especially when house owners did not check their surroundings and made sure they were clean.


Xavier said the public between the ages of 18 and 45 were more exposed to dengue because this age group move around frequently to go to colleges or work.

He said to effectively combat dengue, the public needed to work hand in hand with the authorities.

He added that both the Health Ministry and the state government had increased staff to curb the scourge.


"For example the Petaling Jaya City Council has 14 new health officers.

"Areas such as Subang Jaya has a young population who are constantly on the move and the cause of the problem may not necessarily be in their neighbourhood but they could have got dengue at their workplace.

"There's a slight decrease in reported dengue cases this year compared to last year during the same period. But most importantly the public must play their part and keep both the inside and outside of their houses clean."

Yesterday, Xavier along with Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Puasa Md Taib, councillor T. Anthony, and representatives of Subang Jaya and Klang Municipal Councils made house visits in Section 4 Petaling Jaya.

The objective was to check if residents had dog licences and also to spot dengue breeding grounds in houses.

Based on the visit, most dog owners do not have licences for their dogs and residents had containers and flower pots that had stagnant water.

Anthony said the door-to-door visits were effective because the council had taken a new approach to tackle both the dengue and the dog licensing issue.

He said awareness and education on what needed to be carried out were the best way to help residents understand the situation so that they could cooperate with the authorities.

Anthony said it would benefit the council in the long run if the council officers were given good training on how to tackle difficult situations.

"Dogs and other pets are becoming more like family members, therefore they must have identification.

"Pets if they are well taken care of will not become a nuisance.

"We want responsible owners," said Anthony.


StarMetro on June 29 by S Komaladevi.


Drop in dengue cases in Selangor

THERE has been a slight drop in the number of dengue cases in Selangor compared with last year.

However, Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar urged the public to continue taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) recorded the highest number of dengue cases among five local councils in Selangor. As of June this year, the municipality had 11 confirmed cases and one death.

It is followed by Subang Jaya Municipal Council (26 confirmed cases and six deaths), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (55 confirmed cases and two deaths), Shah Alam City Council (29 confirmed cases and six deaths) and Petaling Jaya City Council (14 confirmed cases and three deaths).

Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said Kajang had a high population density and the residents were not keeping their surroundings clean.

Breeding ground: Dr Xavier pointing to rubbish left uncollected at a house during the house to house inspection.

He was speaking at the launch of dengue awareness and responsible pet ownership campaign at the MBPJ quarters in Section 4, Petaling Jaya, recently.

The event, held jointly with MBPJ, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Petpositive, aimed to educate the public on how to prevent dengue and take care of their pets.

“We noticed there has been a sudden increase in the number of dengue cases in areas where rubbish is not collected for a week and areas near abandoned projects,” added Dr Xavier.

“Residents should clean their house compound regularly and not rely on fogging alone,” he said.

He urged the public to continue practising the 10-minute campaign, where they only had to spend 10 minutes a week to clean their houses to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds.

Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association president Anthony Thanayasan hoped the authorities would also take note of the condition of the pets when they conducted dengue checks.

He added that they should look at how well the animals were being taken care of, besides checking the pet licences.

“This is one of the measures to avoid complaints regarding pets being a nuisance to neighbours,” Anthony said.

Both Dr Xavier and Anthony joined the authorities to conduct house-to-house checks during the event.


The Malay Mail by Jonathan Fernandez on 29th June:

PJ city council drive to care for pets and curb dengue

* 'Dengue and Responsible Pet Owners Awareness Programme'
* Local
* PJ city council

PETALING JAYA: The city council launched its 'Dengue and Responsible Pet Owners Awareness Programme' yesterday.

Selangor State exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar led council officers go house-to-house to inspect the owners' eligibility to keep pets like dogs and cats.

PJ councillor Anthony Sivabalan said this was the first time they had applied such an approach with the intention of inspiring a more friendly and caring connection between council members and residents.

"We cannot just send out letters or notices to those who have not been following the rules. To show we have everybody's interest at heart, we launched this campaign as a kind reminder for everyone of their social responsibilities.

"The council have received numerous complaints on how pets have been cruelly fitted into small cages and not being fed for days. We just don't want that," he said, adding there is also the issue of the dengue menace.

"Plastic wrappers and containers, if left carelessly, would collect water and be a perfect breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes. We want to advise residents to play their part in the fight against dengue."


PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. 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 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. 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

PJ Residents In For A Wonderful Shock

PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA:

PEOPLE RESIDING IN SECTION FOUR are in for a wonderful shock of their lives later this morning.

In a few hours time their doorbells will start ringing.

(Top Right: MBPJ's Health Department's Vector Team with CAT's Chairman ready for action) 

Outside at their front gates, they will be greeted by a host of local council officers.

All of them are on a special mission today to destroy dengue-breeding grounds and ensure that pets are properly equipped with dog-licenses.

The good news is no one will be fined if found to have neglected their obligation to observe cleanliness or responsible pet ownership.

At least for today. 

They will, however, be promptly educated on how to be more responsible in future.

And how luckier can the residents get when all these sound advice will be coming to them directly from a VIP all the way from the Selangor State Council who goes by the name of Dr A Xavier Jayakumar!

The Yang Berhormat who is Chairman of Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and a Caring Government at the state level will be sharing his expert advice direct to residents on how to stay healthy with their families against the scourge of the dengue menace.

And that's not all! 

(Dr Xavier to give advice to how to care for pets)

The good man who has canines of his own will also be making sure that dog owners duly observe the Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) laws in owning pets.

He will be explaining to them about the importance of obtaining pet licenses from MBPJ so as to not run foul with the council in order to continue their valuable bonding with their canines.

However, dog licenses will only be the start of the good doctor's concern. 

A dentist by training, he will also be checking on the pets of the owners ensuring that they are comfy and happy in their homes. 

Aided by a veterinarian from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) together with nongovernmental organisations like PETPOSITIVE and SPCA Selangor, Dr Xavier will be examining the many areas in pet care (including cats).

These include making sure that dogs are properly fed, housed, taken for walks regularly and to the veterinarian.

"Education is the best way to help people to   understand" - Dr Xavier

"Education is the key to creating a world fit for everyone, whether humans or animals who are all God's creation," said Dr Jayakumar to PET+BLOGSPOT last week.

He was speaking from his office at the SUK building in the state's capital in Shah Alam. 

"We often take for granted and think people know everything," he added. 

"But the fact is there are so many things that all of us still don't know and we are all learning new things everyday," he said. 

In addition to educating residents, the exercise will also serve as an on-the-spot training for the local council vector units that are involved. 

Apart from MBPJ, several councils from Selangor will also be participating in the rare event that is organised by the Canine Advisory Team or CAT committee of MBPJ. 

                                         CAT in Action at MBPJ

"The site visit is an ongoing project of the committee in our mission to promote responsible ownership of pets in PJ," said MBPJ Councillor Anthony SB Thanasayan who is also Chairman of CAT. 

"We are extremely delighted and honoured that YB Dr Xavier agreed to participate in this very humble on-the-ground project with the residents of PJ. 

"I am sure that many of the residents will be most pleased to have this top VIP from the State at their doorstep. This applies equally to their four-footed furry friends as well." Thanasayan concluded with a smile.

              Cats not left out

CAT was formed by Thanasayan soon after he became MBPJ Councillor in 2008.

NEXT ON PET+BLOGSPOT: MEET THE DEVIL: ANTHONY THANASAYAN.              

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. 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 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. 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

WEEKEND VIEW: Plenty Of Tail-Wags To CAT's First Dogcatchers-Training Session

DATELINE MPK HEADQUARTERS, KLANG: 

 

A FIRST-EVER SESSION that was organised by the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) of the Klang Town Council (MPK)took place on Friday. 

 

Held at the Local Council's Headquarters in Jalan Perbandaran Klang, it proved to be a big success.

 

It involved the entire team of dogcatchers from two local councils in Selangor that met up with animal welfare and rights nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in order to come up with better and humane methods in controlling the population of stray dogs in towns and cities. 

 

The discussions were so absorbing that no one wanted to call the morning session a day even when the time started running into lunch hour!

 

Finally it was Mr Zulikifli Abbas, the Klang Council's Health Director who reluctantly brought the half-day session to a close. 

 

"Thank you all for participating in an extremely fruitful event that has opened up our minds with a lot of ideas for all of us", he said, beaming from ear to ear, to about 50 dogcatchers and staff from the vector units of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and MPK.

The Klang Council which organised the event had extended an invitation also to the Selayang Municipality (MPS) but they were unable to make it at the last minute.

 

MPS incidentally does not have dogcatchers among its staff. They hire outsiders instead to perform the task.

Chairman of MPK CAT, Anthony SB Thanasayan kicked off the session by praising the role of dogcatchers.

 

He reiterated that their mission is a necessary one in virtually every country of the world.

 

"However, we in CAT acknowledge that your job as dogcatchers is often a 'dirty one' - something that no one wants to do but still, someone has to do it," he said.

 

"We realize the fact that you guys are also the unsung heroes even though you risk getting injured or bitten during the line of your duties," added the Chairman of also the CAT team of MBPJ.

 

"You are rarely appreciated for your role and sometimes even get blocked or attacked by residents - and some animal NGOs in their blogs - when trying to accomplish your noble mission," Thanasayan went on.

 

"However, I am pleased to say that today's session was specially held in tribute to the work that you guys do.

 

"We are here today to listen to your feelings and experiences. 

 

"We would like to know about your problems and how we can help you so that you can do your jobs more effectively," said Thanasayan. 

 

After the CAT Chairman's address, the Health Director went on to explain that the control of the population of dogs was necessary because of public health demand. 

 

Mr Abbas explained that the local councils are answerable to the taxpayers.

 

"We are bound to respond to complaints made by them in relation to strays being a nuisance and a health hazard in their neighborhood," he said. 

 

"The majority of canines that are caught are a direct result of complaints made by residents," he added.

 

Dr Thiba Rajoo from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) provided a wealth of information from her professional position. 

 

She stressed on the health rights and needs of animals. 

 

She gave the lowdown on the five fundamental freedoms of dogs.

 

"They must be observed at all times from the moment the canines are caught in the streets to their journey to the pound and until they depart either through adoptions or put-downs," she pointed out as the audience listened with rapt attention. 

 

A special video on service dogs and animal-assisted therapy for the disabled was presented by Petpositive, which was one of the two NGOs present at the meeting. 

 

The purpose of the video was to educate the participants on the many useful roles of canines.

 

"If there was early intervention, many of the dogs that end up as strays could have helped humans in similar ways too," said Thanasayan who presented the video.

 

SPCA Selangor's Cunera Kimlon (the other NGO  representative) gave a most insightful talk on animal cruelty. 

 

The animal-inspector went through some important details of the handling aspects of dogs and cats.

 

She provided some extremely useful tips on how to handle animals humanely which the participants eagerly lapped up.

 

One could clearly see that quite a bit of the information shared that day were not known to the dogcatchers previously.

 

Adrian Johnson Lim, a private animal control professional who is Australia-trained, was also invited to attend the session. 

 

He showed videos of how to approach stray dogs in a friendly rather than an aggressive way.

 

Using chicken meat as bait, we saw some of the the strays actually running towards his animal control team rather than taking off in the other direction. 

 

Lim's team also used a variety of equipment in trapping dogs for different situations. 

 

CAT was not the only "experts" who were speakers at the stray-awareness session that morning. 

 

The dogcatchers themselves took the opportunity to share their successes - as well as their their failures - in trying to do their jobs which made the session even more interesting. 

 

The issue of Muslims and dogs inevitably came up.

 

Whilst all the dogcatchers in MPK are persons of Indian descent, MBPJ has three officers who are Muslims. 

 

One of them shared with us how difficult it was at first when he started out as a dogcatcher. 

 

"Not only was I looked down by the residents for catching canines but my friends and others were uncomfortable with the idea of me performing my job as a Muslim," he said.

 

"However, now I have come to terms with it and I know that I have a very special purpose in helping both the city of PJ as well as the many unwanted and often abused animals that we effectively take off the streets."

 

The young man's view was shared by most of the other dogcatchers.

 

They all said that from their experience, a life as a stray was not right nor fit for any animal. 

 

"The majority of the dogs that we come across are abused dogs; as well as extremely sick animals," said one dogcatcher who received numerous nods from the others.

 

"Life for the strays is a living hell; no one wants to really care for them - even those who profess to feed them.

 

"It appears that some people want the 'feel-good' factor of feeding stray animals without taking any responsibility for the animal such as taking it to the vet for treatment when the time comes to do so.

 

"Thus, many of us feel it is better to take these dogs out of their predicament and humanely put them down instead of allowing them to suffer in the cold and uncaring streets," he remarked.

 

Jessica Low, a volunteer who represented Petpositive at the meeting was all praise for the session at the end of the day. 

 

She commented:

 

"Whether (all) dog-lovers (realise) it or not, change IS happening - thanks to CAT!

 

"(The session) was a (true) learning (experience for all)."

 

 

The Petpositive volunteer was absolutely right in her observations.  

 

The dogcatchers came away obviously having a better understanding of their roles - as well as to their solemn responsibilities for the animals under their care.

 

"Please don't refer to me a 'dogcatcher' anymore but as an "animal-control officer" from now on," one of them quipped to the writer of this story as he left the room. 

The special MPK CAT session is the first of many more training and a heightened sensitivity on animal rights and welfare events to come for animal-control officers.

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PET+BLOGSPOT

  PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. 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 40,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. 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