Don't Own A Dog If You Are Not Ready For The Responsiilities, Says DVS

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!



DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

Dato Dr Aziz Jamaluddin

IF YOU WANT to keep a dog and are not quite ready for the responsibility of owning one; DON'T!

That's the message that  Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dato Dr Abdul Aziz Jamuluddin would like to urge wannabe dog owners.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Malaysian Kennel Association's (MKA) international dog competition in Jalan Dagang here last Saturday, DVS DG Dato' Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said owning a dog was a huge responsibility.

Dr Aziz gesturing as MKA president Larry looks on

"Every potential pet owner should know this. Getting a dog is not like purchasing something from a supermarket," Dr Aziz cautioned. 

"It's not like getting a fish from an aquarium shop to rear at home. Don't be fooled by what a pet shop salesman tells you - listen to the dog you want to look after yourself!" Adds the DG.

Dr Aziz advises all would be dog owners to do some homework first. 

"Read all about the canine breed that you want to own first," he says. 

"If you haven't been to a seminar or dog show like those organised by the MKA and others, sign up for them first in order to give you a better idea of the responsibilities that your decision will involve.

"Don't make the fatal mistake like those who get a dog to protect their homes but end up having the animal a threat to the neighbourhood instead.

Dr Aziz stressed that local councils should also get into the act of educating pet owners about responsible pet keeping before they decide to own pets.

"The MKA's show (last Saturday) was world class. The NGO should do more to spread their excellent work to more members of the public as a means of education and awareness about responsible pet ownership," said Dr Aziz who owns two dogs himself.

Dr Aziz also encouraged PETPOSITIVE to involve more disabled and elderly persons to the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

"This is especially timely as Malaysia moves into an ageing society," he concluded.

The MKA event witnessed the participation of more than 300 canines and 1,500 people. 
The canine championships were held over two days during the weekend. 

(For more, see Wheel Power in PET+BLOGSPOT tomorrw)

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!

Canine Triumph Over Prejudice

Thursday September 20, 2012

Dogs shows continue to draw crowds

Wheel Power
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Dog shows remain ever popular and continue to draw crowds wherever they are held.

I HAD a terrific time at the Malaysian Kennel Association’s international championship dog show which was held at a shopping mall in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, last weekend.

I found myself in the company of more than 300 dogs and about 1,500 people.

There were four events running concurrently over two days. Five judges from Sweden, Australia, India, the Philippines and Singapore presided over the occasion.
All the canines were vying to be selected for at least two upcoming prestigious dog competitions in the United States and Britain.

The writer poses with (from left) Chan Oi Keng, owner of Bosnia the Rottweiler, Malaysian Kennel Association president Larry Yuen, and Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Department of Veterinary Services Director-General.

The showcase was launched by Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

I was invited by the organisers in my capacity as chairman of the Canine Advisory Team of the Petaling Jaya City Council. I was also there as president of Petpositive, an animal-assisted therapy society for people with disabilities and the elderly.

I was thrilled to be invited. As I mingled with the crowd, a few people approached me and told me they were inspired to see me there in my wheelchair – that my disability didn’t stop me from having fun.

What an encouraging remark. This sure beats asking a disabled person what is “wrong” with them at first meeting, which some people annoyingly do.

Why should anything be “wrong” with anyone just because he or she sits in a wheelchair? How does someone continue a conversation with a person after such a remark?

As for the canine participants, they were waggy tails all the way.

Curious at first, probably on coming in contact with a “chair on wheels” for the first time, they quickly settled down with generous licks of understanding.

I was surrounded by scores of German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and even Bull Terriers which our society has unfairly tagged under the “dangerous” and “banned dogs” list and I emerged without even a scratch.

Taking to the press after the launch, Dr Abdul Aziz brought home the point that dogs were never the problem; the real issue was errant owners.

He stressed that more people, especially the disabled and the elderly, should explore the use of canines for animal-assisted therapy. He said that DVS is fully behind such a move.

Dr Abdul Aziz said the elderly, infirm and disabled have greatly benefited from having pets which helped them achieve a higher quality of life.

However, he was quick to point out that every dog, no matter what size or breed, comes with a heavy responsibility. No one should think of owning a dog if he or she is not prepared for the hard work that comes along with it.

Dr Abdul Aziz said that whilst the use of dogs should be encouraged for health benefits, no one should keep dogs purely to protect their home without showing them love and care.

“Keeping a dog should never be done on impulse. They may look cute and cuddly at first but it is not at all like buying a fish from the pet store,” he warned.

After the press conference, I followed the DG and the organisers around the performance rings and the exhibition area to meet the canine participants and their owners.

It was there that we met Bosnia, a huge and magnificent Rottweiler which belonged to Chan Oi Keng. We couldn’t resist patting and playing with the Rottie.

Indeed, it was an insightful day for everyone. Not only did the canines come out champs, it was a day when awareness triumphed over ignorance and prejudice.

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!

Animal Welfare Bill Positively On Track Says DVS

PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS!



DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

Dato Dr Aziz Jamaluddin

ONE OF THE MOST eagerly anticipated Bills to be enacted by Parliament is well on track, says the Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Malaysian Kennel Association's (MKA) international dog competition in Jalan Dagang here last Saturday, DVS DG Dato' Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said he was very pleased with the way in which the Animal Welfare Act was progressing. 

Dr Aziz gesturing as MKA president Larry look on

"It is the only piece of legislation in the country that has extensively passed through every aspect of its process in order to become law next January," pointed out Dr Aziz and adding that the Act is currently under public scrutiny.

"The DVS has taken pains to ensure that the all-important document on animal welfare is opened up to the public at large so that everyone's view can be taken into consideration," he said.


 

Once the Bill comes into effect Dr Aziz says it will mean bad news for anyone who tries to be cruel to animals in our country. 

The DG cited incidents of poisoning and pouring hot water over dogs and cats as examples of animal cruelty. 

"What a disgrace such acts of people bring to our country," he pointed out. 

"Keeping dogs outside the gate of homes just to act as guard animals is also being cruel when owners don't take them in and show them love and affection," he added. 

The MKA event witnesed the participation of more than 300 canines and 1,500 people. 

The canine championships were held over two days during the weekend. 

(For more, see Wheel Power in The Star this Thursday. Look out also in NST Streets this week which also covered the story.)
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!

DVS In Full Support Of Animal-Assisted Therapy

PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS!

Pix by Marcus Foo: MKA's Larry Addresses Crowd 

DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) fully supports the role of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in the lives of Malaysians with disabilities and the elderly in the country.

This was expressed strongly to PET+BLOGSPOT by the Director-General of the DVS Dato' Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin last Saturday.

Pix by Marcus: During the press conference.

Speaking at a press conference (PC) organised by the Malaysian Kennel Association at their dog championships event over the weekend, Dr Aziz added, "The appreciation and use of AAT in Malaysia was long overdue."

"Animal-Assisted Therapy is the highest form of service that animals, especially dogs and cats, can render to human beings.

Dr Aziz making a salient point

"We must remember that all of us are only growing older. Dogs like the many breeds in MKA's event can play a positive role in helping us all grow old gracefully through their unique interaction," said Dr Aziz after launching the two-day prestigious MKA canine championships.

After the PC, the DVS Chief who is based in Putrajaya, together with MKA's president Larry Yuen and PETPOSITIVE'S Anthony Thanasayan took a stroll around the area meeting up with pet owners and their dogs.

The VIPs met up with two-year old Rottweiler Macedonia Bosnia Endy belonging to Chan Oi Keng.

The MKA event which was sponsored by Eukanuba saw as many as 1,500 human participants and 300 canines.

(For more, see Wheel Power in The Star this Thursday. Look out also in NST Streets this week which also covered the story.)          

 
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!

DVS DG Pleased With Progress Of "Animal Welfare Bill"

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH! 


DATELINE PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR: 



THE JOURNEY of the much anticipated Malaysian Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament is progressing very well," says the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Director-General Datuk Dr Aziz Jamaluddin. 

Dr Aziz: "Very pleased"

Speaking to PET+BLOGSPOT earlier this evening, he said his department will be calling for a public hearing later this month to get the views of everyone for this important piece of legislature that is expected to carry a fine of RM50,000 for animal cruelty. 

"Once this is done, the document will be handed over to the Attorney General's office for viewing before it goes to the Cabinet," added the DVS Head. 

Animal Welfare Bill to address cruelty

"It is only after these processes when it will finally make its way into Parliament to be passed as Malaysia's first Animal Welfare Bill." concluded Dr Aziz.

The DVS is the body responsible for creation of the Bill. 

A number of animal welfare based nongovernmental organisations like PETPOSITIVE, SPCA Selangor, PAWS, Noah's Ark from Ipoh and Johor lent their support to the Bill.

Watch this space for more development on this piece of great news. 
 

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!