Time to get rid of BSL

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PETPOSITIVE Takes MBI Mayor To Task, Says Dog Pound Needed

Thursday June 14, 2012

Councils need a pound to keep captured animals, says Anthony

By IVAN LOH
ivanloh@thestar.com.my

ALL local councils should have a pound to keep captured stray animals, said Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan.
Anthony, who is also a councillor of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), said a local council should be responsible to take care of the animals they catch.

“There should be a place to keep these animals. If the animals are pets belonging to someone, the pound will be the first place they look,” he told The Star.

“Some of the stray animals should be kept for at least seven days or be re-homed and put up for adoption,” he said, adding that the city council would then have the option to take action against animals that are unwanted.

Anthony: Some of the stray animals should be kept for at least seven days or be re-homed and put up for adoption.

He also said that the city council could use the taxpayers’ money to build a pound.

“The people, will, in fact, respect the mayor for that,” he said.

Anthony was commenting on Ipoh Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim’s statement in The Star yesterday that a pound was neither suitable nor effective.

Roshidi had said a pound was much worse as the animals would have to be locked up in cages and that diseases would spread from one animal to another.

Anthony noted that it was poor thinking on the part of the mayor.

“The spreading of diseases is not the fault of the pound but of its management.

“To cope with viruses and diseases from spreading is why we cooperate with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS).

“The department has the expertise to control viruses and diseases from spreading and the pound can be sanitised,” he added.

Anthony also said MBPJ did not have a pound but was working towards setting up one.

“We are currently sending captured animals to the Paws Animal Welfare Society’s animal shelter.
“The MBPJ will pay them RM20 for each dog or cat taken in,” he said, adding that the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) would soon open its model pound, which could be the benchmark for other local councils to follow.

Both the MBPJ and MPK did not hire contractors to catch stray dogs, he added.

“The enforcement officers from both councils catch stray dogs themselves,” he said.

Anthony also urged the Ipoh City Council to be more transparent when handling related issues.
“It is fine to catch the dogs upon receiving a complaint from the public. There is nothing to be afraid of; just tell the truth and explain to the public how they handle the animals,” he said.

The Ipoh City Council has clarified that the stray dogs caught are put down by way of lethal injection and are buried at the Papan landfill.

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 NGOs Respond To Dog Attack - Some Of Their Bite Is Worse Than Their Bark

aNt's aNgle: There is a flurry of reports in The Star today on the dog-mauling incident that took the life of an elderly jogger two days ago.

Whilst I can appreciate the many views being proffered on what might have caused the breed of dog, that is now being branded as a "miniature bull terrier cross", some of them are not only questionable but rather ludicrous as well!

Suddenly, everyone seems an expert as to what went wrong - from animal rescuers to dog trainers. 

That is, if the newspaper quoted them correctly. 

What, for instance, is SPCA Selangor saying when it refers to a dog with an aggressive nature? Are you referring to a particular dog or an entire breed?

What does Second Chance mean by "banned breeds"? Are you referring to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) booklet? I'm okay with the word "restricted breeds" meanings that owners who are not ready to meet the demands of particular breeds should never be allowed to own them.

As my quote in today's StarMetro says:

“Blaming the breeds is a fallacy. Any dog — regardless of breed — has a potential to attack anyone. The question is, how did it become a monster, and who trained it to attack people?”

What does MDDB mean in its amateurish remark about "indiscriminate cross breeding" when expert breeders say there should be no cross-breeding at all!

One dog-trainer raises a complete codswallop about bull terriers having a "mechanism in the jaw that allows it to lock up when it is clamped shut" which has absolutely no scientific backing. 

And another trainer wants the dog to be handed over to him.

I sincerely hope that it is to rehabilitate the pooch and give him over to an owner far, far away from civilisation to live out the rest of its days - and not to sell it back as a guard dog!

Anyway, read on guys and see what you think:

StarMetro:  

Thursday May 10, 2012

Extra care for aggressive dogs

By THO XIN YI
thoxinyi@thestar.com.my

OWNERS should be held responsible for the problems caused by their pets especially dogs.

Commenting on the bull terrier that mauled a 74-year-old man in Subang Jaya on Tuesday, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor chairman Christine Chin said owners must be very careful when handling dogs that are aggressive in nature.

“Owners must realise that big, working dogs need regular work-outs.

Escape route: The dog that attacked the elderly man apparently ran out through the garbage bin compartment of the house.

“We do not know how the dog in question was handled, but if a dog has been caged and leashed for a long period, it is likely that its energy is repressed,” she said.

Chin cautioned against caging up dogs without attending to their exercise needs.

“It’s dangerous for owners to just tie up the dogs as guard dogs, and not allocate time to exercise. These are the factors that make the dogs even more aggressive,” she said.

Chin also recommended dog owners to sign up for regular dog training sessions because the canines need exercise as well as social interactions.

Furry Friends Farm co-founder Sabrina Yeap is worried that dog owners would start chaining up their dogs and caging them throughout the day because of this incident.

She warned that it was a form of abuse to the pets.

“If the dogs need to be caged or chained up for a short period of time because they are sick or there are visitors, make sure that the cages are large enough for them to rest, and the chains are long enough for them to move,” she said.

Yeap said people tend to blame dogs’ behaviour, but the animal could be trained from young.

She said the aggressive behaviour of the dogs could be caused by the way they were handled by their owners or breeders.

“We don’t know how the overseas breeders raised their dogs. The process might be inhumane.

“We must give the dogs a loving environment,” she said.

Ho Lai Peng, from an independent dog rescue group called Second Chance, felt that the burden was on the authority to get to the root of the problem.

“They should find out whether anyone is breeding the dogs in Malaysia. How come this breed is so easily available? It is scary to say the least.

“People who own the forbidden breeds, too, should surrender their dogs voluntarily,” she said.

On the other hand, Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan said the breeds should not be blamed for the accidents, but the way the canines were bred and brought up.

“Blaming the breeds is a fallacy. Any dog — regardless of breed — has a potential to attack anyone. The question is, how did it become a monster, and who trained it to attack people?” he said.

Dog trainers, in his opinion, must register with the local councils, and educate the animals to co-exist with people.

Dog breeders, too, have to evaluate dogs carefully before breeding them.

He also pointed out that the local councils did not provide a condusive environment for dogs.

“Their movements are restricted and dog owners are forced to keep the dogs within the house compound.

“The councils should educate pet owners on how to look after the dogs, and teach the public on how to avoid dog attacks,” he said.

Anthony was strongly against the idea of keeping dogs as guard dogs as the owners might not know the correct way of looking after the dogs.

Nonetheless, he felt that irresponsible dog owners, who let their pets wander freely, should be punished.

He hopes the authority will try its best to rehabilitate the bull terrier in this case instead of putting it to sleep.

Meanwhile, Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) assistant corporate director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid confirmed that the dog owner has a licence for the bull terrier.

However the owner has to adhere to the rules listed in the MPSJ Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments Bylaws 2012.

“The dogs should be leashed and controlled by the owners when they are out of the premises. The owners cannot let their dogs wander freely.

“If the owners are found negligent and at fault, they could be fined RM1,000 and the dogs will be seized,” he said. Azfarizal added the case was still being investigated by the police and Selangor Veterinary Services Department.

Thursday May 10, 2012

Killer dog’s owners make appearance at victim’s funeral

By LOSHANA K. SHAGAR
loshana@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Barely 24 hours after 74-year-old Yip Sun Wah was mauled to death by a neighbour's miniature bull terrier cross, both families came together in the spirit of forgiveness.
The body of Yip, who celebrated his birthday 11 days ago, lay in a brown coffin at the Gui Yuan Crematorium in Petaling Jaya. As his family members grieved over his tragic death, the family that owned the dog that killed Yip early Tuesday morning came to pay their last respects.

They seemed apprehensive at first as they were unsure of the victim's family's response, but were embraced by Yip's wife Lim Yoke Kim, 73, and their eldest son Hon Mun, 51. Yip also leaves behind three other sons and two grandchildren.

Hon Mun said although they were bitter at first, it dissipated when the family came.

Words of comfort: The dog owner’s parents (right) console Lim while Hon Mun (left) is seen in the background at the Gui Yuan Crematorium in Petaling Jaya Wednesday. — RAYMOND OOI/The Star

“Nobody wanted this to happen, but we do not want this to linger and cause pain to everyone in the years to come.

“It's good that they (dog owner's family) came, we can see that they were very sincere and that's all I could ask for,” Hon Mun said.

The dog owner shed tears as did her parents and a friend who came with her.

They lit joss sticks and prayed before Yip's photograph, after which both families gathered for a 10-minute talk.

Hon Mun said he last saw his father just 45 minutes before he was killed while jogging in the neighbourhood.

“The last thing he said to me was thank you for the food and money'. One moment I was talking to him and the next moment he had left me.”

Yip, a former signboard maker, was described as a friendly person who would wave to people while jogging.

Right after Yip was attacked, a passer-by used his mobile phone to contact Hon Mun, who rushed to the scene.

“It was a horrifying sight to see your loved one lying motionless on the road in a pool of blood,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, Hon Mun sent an e-mail to his neighbours thanking them for their assistance.
In the e-mail, he expressed the wish that dog owners would learn to be more responsible for their pets.

“If my father's death can be a wake-up call to all dog owners, his death would not have been in vain,” he said.

Yip will be cremated at 2pm on Saturday at the Gui Yuan Crematorium here.

Related Stories:

Thursday May 10, 2012

Cross-bred bull terrier a restricted breed, says vet dept D-G

PETALING JAYA: The dog that attacked and killed 74-year-old Yip Sun Wah is a miniature bull terrier cross which is a restricted breed in Malaysia.

Restricted breeds were not suitable as household pets, said Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.

Such breeds, he added, were only meant for the use of military and enforcement agencies and not to be kept as pets.

He added that bull terriers were allowed to be kept as guard dogs providing they were given proper training and schooling.

“When an application is made to the local council for a licence for a restricted breed, the municipal agency will only issue the licence based on our recommendation,” said Dr Abdul Aziz. He said the DVS has published a guidebook to outline breed classification.

The guidelines can also be obtained at http://www.dvs.gov.my/web/guest/listband.

Dr Abdul Aziz also said restricted breeds were not supposed to be sold in pet shops.
He added that the DVS was currently doing a trace to determine the supplier and find out how a restricted breed could have been made available to the owner.

“I will instruct our enforcement unit to check all pet shops to see if they are selling banned and restricted dog breeds,” said Dr Abdul Aziz.

Meanwhile, dog trainer Wellington Ho said bull terriers have very powerful jaws.

“There is a mechanism in the jaw which tends to lock up when it is clamped shut,” he said.
However, Ho was quick to point out that he personally knew of domesticated bull terriers that have been properly socialised.

“They have very sweet temperaments once they are properly socialised,” he said.

The dog that killed Yip had a valid licence issued by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council.

The case will be investigated by the police under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence, which carries a maximum of two years' jail, a fine or both.

Related Stories:

Thursday May 10, 2012

Time to regulate pet shops, say canine welfare groups

PETALING JAYA: Canine welfare groups are outraged over the death of 74-year-old Yip Sun Wah after he was mauled by a miniature bull terrier cross.

They claimed that one of the reasons behind Yip's death was the poor regulation of pet shops, which sell restricted breeds suspected of being obtained from backyard breeders.

Save a Stray founder Jacqueline Tsang said Yip's tragic death was due to irresponsible breeders who did not ensure the bull terrier's owner had the expertise to handle the dog.
“I also hold the enforcers liable for not ensuring the restriction (on restricted breeds) was being properly implemented,” said Tsang.

Canine rescue project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better coordinator Irene Low said it was time for the authorities to seriously regulate pet shops that sold such animals.

“Only then can backyard breeders, who carry out unethical breeding, be put out of business as they would not have a platform to sell their dogs and puppies,” she said.

According to Low, unethical breeders also had a tendency to cross-breed dogs that were not compatible with each other.

“When indiscriminate cross-breeding is done, it can seriously affect the dogs' temperament,” she said.

Furry Friends Farm founder Sabrina Yeap said the temperament of a dog was usually influenced by the environment it was brought up in.

“Whatever the breed, what matters most is the upbringing. I personally know of bull terriers that are loving family pets,” said Yeap.

KL Pooch Rescue co-founder Shannon Lam said the loss of a father and husband to any violent attack was unspeakable.

“Equally tragic is a society that seeks to punish a beast for behaving as such rather than punishing those who are behind its aggression,” she added.

Meanwhile, sources say several rescue groups are getting together to request the authorities not to euthanise the dog.

Dog trainer and G-Pet Boarding and Training Centre Carlos Huertez said he would take the dog in if the authorities were willing to hand over the bull terrier.

FROM NST today:

 KUALA LUMPUR: THE family of a senior citizen who was killed by a dog hoped that his death would be a wake-up call to all other dog owners.

"My father's death should not be in vain. Dog owners should realise the huge responsibility they have if they own fierce dogs," said Yip Hon Mun, the eldest son of the victim, Yip Sin Hua.

Hon Mun was speaking to reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary where he was waiting to claim the body of his father who was attacked by a dog, said to be a crossbreed between an American Staffordshire and miniature bull terrier.

"My family is still in shock. It is our hope now that owners will be more responsible by taking all necessary measures to ensure their dogs do not pose a danger to anyone," said the 51-year-old Hon Mun, who runs a trading company.

"Anyone could have fallen victim to that dog."

He said his family does not hold any grudges against the owner of the dog, which answers to the name Beacon.

"The dog owner and her family visited my family yesterday to apologise and pay their last respects to my dad," said Hon Mun.

"We are leaving the investigations to the authorities and will not pursue the matter."
The victim, Yip, who turned 74 on April 28, was a retired signboard maker in the family-owned business.

On Tuesday morning, while out on his regular jog along Jalan SS19/5B in Subang Jaya, he was attacked by Beacon who had escaped from its owner's house.

"My parents had been living in the area for more than 20 years. My father was probably the only senior citizen in the area who still jogged at that age. He was well-known in the SS19 neighbourhood. He was a pleasant person with a big heart," Hon Mun said.

"I was the last person to speak to my father when I called him just before he went for his jog."
Witnesses said two people hit the dog on the head with an umbrella and a stick but the canine did not let go of its grip of Yip's neck. The victim was believed to have been killed on the spot.
Veterinary Services Department officials later sedated the dog before taking it away.

The dog is now under the care of the department, which will monitor its behaviour for two weeks, apart from checking for various diseases.

The owner of the dog, said to be a 25-year-old female accountant, is being investigated for causing death by negligence. She faces a maximum jail sentence of two years, a fine, or both upon conviction. Additional reporting by V. Shuman

Read more: Jogger's death a wake-up call for dog owners - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/jogger-s-death-a-wake-up-call-for-dog-owners-1.82299#ixzz1uRefbSBQ

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!

Dog owner must be held responsible, says Petpositive

G Vinod | May 9, 2012

Petpositive chief Anthony Thanasayan said that the authorities must act against the dog breeder for selling the dog without proper guidelines.

PETALING JAYA: The dog owner must he held responsible for the death of an elderly man in Subang Jaya, said Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) president Anthony Thanasayan.
Thanasayan said the authorities must also hold the dog breeder responsible as well for the tragedy.

“The dog itself is a victim here. Besides, that if the breed is banned by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Why is it being sold then?” asked Thanasayan.

Yip Sun Wah ,74, lost his life after being attacked by a pit bull while he was jogging in Subang Jaya.
The attack occurred in Jalan SS19/5B, Subang Jaya, which is about one kilometre away from his home.

The dog is said to have ran out of its home and attacked Yip for nearly four minutes. The dog is owned by a 25-year-old accountant.

The police are currently investigating the matter under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence, which carries a maximum two years’ jail sentence or a fine or both.
Thanasayan said the local councils must enforce stricter rules by registering breeders and dog trainers to ensure only qualified ones get to train dogs.

“Dogs should never be trained to attack people. Get an alarm system if you want better protection for your houses,” said Thanasayan who is also a councillor for the Petaling Jaya City Hall.
The accountant got the dog three months ago, after her house was robbed.

It’s a Bull Terrier

Thanaysan also said that it was obvious the retailer who sold the dog to the accountant did not give her a proper guidelines on how to manage her pet.

He added that the local councils should create awareness among the public on how to avoid dog attacks, especially for the elderly, the disabled and children.

“Dogs can attack people if they are not properly trained. We need tougher enforcement on this matter,” said Thanasayan.

He also hoped that the DVS would try its best to rehabilitate the dog instead of putting it to sleep.
Meanwhile, Selangor DVS deputy director Dr Fadzillah Radan said that dog that killed Yip was a miniature Bull Terrier and not a pit bull. But both breeds share many similar traits

Fadzillah also said that the dog is currently placed under observation as the case falls under the purview of the police.

“We have to observe the dog for about 10 to 14 days. Currently, the dog is calm and well-behaved,’ said Fadzillah.

When asked if the DVS would rehabilitate the dog or otherwise, Fadzillah said,” It’s a police case now. It will depend on the court whether we need to rehabiliate the dog or otherwise.”

 

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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!

Pit Bull Owner's Statement Recorded By Police

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded a statement from the owner of a pitbull terrier which fatally attacked a senior citizen out on his morning jog in his housing area in Subang Jaya yesterday, to assist in the investigation.

Subang Jaya police chief, ACP Yahya Ramli when contacted said the dog owner, who lives with her parents, was not at home but at work when the incident

happened.

 

Yesterday, the victim, Yip Sun Wah, 74, who lived in Jalan SS19/5E, Subang Jaya, died at the scene after being attacked by the male pitbull terrier belonging to another resident in Jalan 19/5B while out jogging.

 

"Police recorded a statement from the owner yesterday evening and she was not detained as the case would first be referred to the deputy public prosecutor," Yahya said.

 

He said the owner would usually leave the house dog to roam freely in her house compound and it would come in and out of the compound through the garbage chute door near the gate.

 

"Police are investigating what made the dog suddenly act aggressive because according to the neighbours, the dog had never disturbed them and there had been no case of the dog attacking anyone before."

 

He said the investigation was being carried out under Section 304(A) of the Penal Code for negligence to the extent of causing death.

 

The dog, which was caught, is now with the Veterinary Services Department for further action. - Bernama

Read more: Police record statement from pitbull's owner - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/police-record-statement-from-pitbull-s-owner-1.82092#ixzz1uM9PqEGp

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!

Wednesday May 9, 2012

Pit bull kills jogger

By RASHITHA A. HAMID
rashitha@thestar.com.my

SUBANG JAYA: A man who just turned 74 a few days ago was killed by a pit bull while jogging in his housing area.

Yip Sun Wah died at the scene after the dog bit him on the neck and almost tore off his left ear in the 9.50am incident in Jalan SS19/5B, about 1km from Yip's house here.

The dog ran out of its owner's house and attacked Yip for almost four minutes before returning home.
A car salesman, who only wanted to be identified as Addy, 44, said he was on his way to meet a customer when he saw Yip being attacked by the dog.

Deadly bite: A family member mourning over Yip’s body in front of a house in SS19, Subang Jaya yesterday.

He said he tried to hit the dog with his umbrella but it was too aggressive and only stopped attacking after Yip was motionless.

It is learnt that the owner had just got the animal about three months ago after her house was robbed.
Subang Jaya OCPD ACP Yahaya Ramli said the 25-year-old female accountant had bought the animal from a private kennel. He said she has a licence to keep the dog.

“We have released her after recording her statement,” he added.

ACP Yahaya also said the dog had escaped from the house through the rubbish compartment door which was not properly secured.

The victim's body was sent to the University Malaya Medical Centre while the dog is now with the Shah Alam Municipal Council.

ACP Yahaya said the animal would be tested to ascertain if it has any disease.
The victim's eldest son Hon Mun, 51, said he was informed of the incident by an eyewitness who called him using his father's mobile phone.

“I rushed to the scene immediately but my father was already dead,” he said, adding the victim had been jogging in the area for the past 20 years.

The case is being investigated under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence which carries a maximum two years' jail sentence or a fine or both.
Meanwhile, Subang Jaya Municipal Council director Dr Roslan Mohamed Hussin said it had started checking residential areas in the township for breeds that were said to be aggressive and dangerous.
“Seven dog breeds, namely Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanesa Tosa and American Pit Bull are predisposed to aggressive or dangerous behaviour,” he said.

The council is also enforcing a directive from the Selangor Veterinary Department to ban these “unmanageable or possibly dangerous” breeds.

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!

UK Police Urge Tougher Dog Laws After Attack

Police urge tougher dog laws after attack

Acpo says dog owners should be prosecuted for attacks that occur on private property as well as those on public land

• Shiv Malik
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 March 2012 19.13 GMT
• Article history

Police at the scene of the dog attack in Newham, east London. Photograph: Mike Taylor/Demotix/Corbis

The Association of Chief Police Officers has renewed a call to strengthen the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act after an attack in east London hospitalised five officers.

Acpo's lead officer on the issue, North Wales assistant chief constable Gareth Pritchard, said he wanted dog owners to be prosecuted if their animal attacked police when they were making an arrest in a suspect's home. Currently owners can only be prosecuted if a dog attack occurs on public land as opposed to private property. Pritchard added that any new legislation should cover nurses, social workers and postal workers, who were lawfully entitled to be on private property.

Pritchard said he had already worked up draft legislation in conjunction with animal welfare charities and believed the government was now seeking to put that legislation on the statute books. This would allow the more than 6,000 postal workers who are injured in dog attacks each year to seek redress.

On Thursday five officers were injured, three seriously, when a pitbull-type dog went berserk during a raid on a suspect's house in east London. A 25-year-old musician has been charged with offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Police marksmen from the Met's C019 unit later shot the dog dead as officers held it on the ground.
Pritchard, who said he would be in contact with the Met to "look at the lessons and issues" surrounding the case, said he also knew of deaths and injuries that had resulted from dogs attacking people within the confines of private property and new legislation would seek to make owners more responsible.

"We are concerned about the deaths and the injuries that are occurring and there is no law to protect people who are injured on private property. We've had cases of kids being killed and seriously injured by dogs on private property and criminal accountability is very difficult in those situations," he said.

He added that the Met now had a new unit to deal with so-called "status dogs", used by gangs to protect themselves against the police and rivals. "We want to protect people who are in a property within the law. We want to give them protection."

Pritchard said that Acpo wanted a more effective preventative strategy and hoped the government would grant police and council officers the power to issue dog control notices as a precursory step to issuing a formal dog control order and dragging dog owners through the courts. "We believe a lot of people would react positively to a notice," he said.

There was also concern that current legislation did not give police enough discretion to lock up dogs they thought were dangerous. Presently, all dogs labelled as dangerous breeds have to be locked up and kennelled automatically at an annual cost to police forces of £4m.

Gavin Grant, the new chief executive for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which has also been pushing for the new legislation, said: "Irresponsible ownership is dire for dogs and the community. Inaction by successive governments has seen it worsen. RSPCA inspectors, our animal rescue centres and veterinary clinics are left to pick up the pieces. As the new RSPCA chief executive, changing this is a key priority.

"The coalition has had 18 months to reintroduce dog registration and microchipping that ties owners to their dogs. Previous governments have failed dogs and owners … The time for talking is past. We need effective action now."

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!

Pit Bulls Pounce On Elderly Disabled Man

CANINE COMMENT:  

First of all, if anyone out there thinks that dogs don't bite, read this story.

The victims unfortunately are children, people with disabilities and the elderly as in the latest case.

It is for this reason why we have local councils. And it is for this very reason why they have to take action against dogs in public.

Having said that, however, notice that in this Florida, USA incident, there lurks the real reason behind the dog attack - an irresponsible owner whose dogs broke out of its cages and went on a terrorizing spree.

Why were these dogs kept in cages? Were they socialised at all? Why were they so fierce? Was it intentional?

Another thing that I don't quite like is how this story is presented.

Why describe the pair of pit bulls as "bloodthirsty?" 

Isn't this creating a very wrong image about dogs and the particular breed which is used for therapy work among the sick in the US?

Who is really at fault here? Tell us what you think.

PET+BLOGSPOT 

 

Pit bulls pounce on elderly disabled Florida man and tear off his right arm

BY Sean Alfano
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Saturday, June 11th 2011, 9:50 AM

WTEV

Doctors amputated Roy McSweeney's right arm after he was attacked

Who let the dogs out?

Should pit bulls be kept in cages at all times?

	Yes, they are violent animals that pose a serious danger to humans.
	No, they are well-behaved dogs as long as they are properly trained.
	Pit bulls should be banned from the country.

• Pet shop owner busted after cops find five cats & dogs in her freezer
• 6-year-old boy mauled by dog while shielding 4-year-old brother
• Driving dog takes car for a spin, runs over owner
• 
  

A pair of bloodthirsty pit bulls pounced on a disabled, elderly Florida man, ripping one of his arms off and severely damaged his other arm, police said.

The vicious dogs broke out of their cages and attacked Roy McSweeney, 74, while he was doing yard work at his home in Hawthorne Friday morning.

Doctors amputated the great-grandfather's right arm and are trying to reattach his left arm.

"He is disabled and sometimes used a scooter to get around. The dogs hurt him pretty bad," Roderick Flynn, a volunteer firefighter who was at the gruesome scene, told WTEV.

Both dogs belonged to McSweeney's next-door neighbor and were handed over to authorities then euthanized, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said.

The woman who owns the home told WTEV she wasn't home when they attack occurred and said the pooches belonged to a friend. She said she didn't know how they escaped from their kennel.

"There's no reason for dogs to be roaming free at all," said Flynn. “This should never have happened. He should be safe in his own yard."

The health department is testing the dogs for rabies.

With News Wire Services
salfano@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/06/11/2011-06-11_pit_bulls_pounce_on_elderly_disabled_florida_man_and_tear_off_his_right_arm.html#ixzz1P1o1naNX

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!

Time To Think And Act Rationally About Dogs

Here is PETPOSITIVE'S unabridged statement that is scheduled to appear in The Star today on the mauling by dogs of a foreigner on Sunday. 

We refer to The Star's update on the latest situation on the dog mauling incident in Penang. (Eye on two killer dogs, January 11, 2011)

 

It is extremely difficult to say for sure what happened at this stage without knowing every fact that took place in the farm in Penang. 

 

However, one can always be sure that when it comes to canines, when they "kill" humans, it is almost always that they are victims of the tragedy as well.

 

We are positive that when the investigation is fully completed, we will finally have some answers pointing to the errors that resulted to this incident. 

 

For now, we are pleased that the right body, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is in charge of the situation, instead of the police or the local council. 

 

We will first have to wait and see if rabies was the cause for the dogs to attack.

 

If not, then the next step would be to see if the canines can be rehabilitated. And more importantly, perhaps, who would be willing to adopt and care for the dogs.

 

Whatever the case, what happened is only the tip of the iceberg in matters regarding canine misbehaviour.

 

There are many dog owners who unwittingly subject their animals to daily "aggressive training".

 

These include being tied up or locked up in small cages all day and only let out (if at all) at night to protect properties and homes.

 

These pets hardly have any chance to socialize. They are only taken for brief walks (if at all) to defecate - and not for exercise, as what it should be.

 

Dogs should never be taken in solely for the purpose of protecting property. They need love, kindness and attention just like any one of us.

 

The best canines are those that are invited to live inside our homes with us - not outside. They should even be encouraged to go on drives in our cars regularly.

 

Anyone who can't meet up with such responsibilities should never keep dogs for the animals' sake as well as their own.

 

Local councils can also play a strategic role in ensuring that pet dogs are kept properly.

 

Instead of visiting homes only to check if dogs have licenses, the authorities should go a step further to come up with a helpful questionnaire or pamphlets to make sure that pet owners are taking care of their pets in a proper way.

 

These would serve as timely reminders or educational material to ensure pets are kept well so that issues of complaints or tragedies are kept to a minimum or are never repeated.

 

Finally, we would like to refer to a comment made by Christine Lai in your report that pit bulls have an in-built "ferocious streak."

 

If Lai had checked her facts she would have discovered that pit bulls are one of the most intelligent and highly caring canines that are beginning to be discovered in the United States at least.

 

They are not only wonderfully gentle with children but also being increasingly used as assistance and therapy dogs for the disabled and the elderly in helping them lead positive lives.

 

Describing pit bulls as being "ferocious" is a completely untrue statement that directly goes against what more and more animal rights activists believe about errant dogs today: "It is never the dogs' fault but the owners".

 

The reason why pit bulls attack dogs and humans is because they are trained by humans that way. There are even dedicated pit bull rescue teams that work hard to rescue these dogs from such a predicament.

 

At a time of such a terrible tragedy where a human life has gone, it is important for all of us to think and act rationally based on what actually happened in this remote tragic case and come up with the right answers.

 

Let us also be reminded of the hundreds of thousands of other dogs in our country that continue to help keep our homes secure, bring joy to the sick, comfort to the elderly, hope for the disabled and happiness to everyone through their loyal and affectionate companionship.

 

Anthony SB Thanasayan 

 

President,

 

PETPOSITIVE 

 

Here is an update from yesterday's New Straits Times Press: 

GEORGE TOWN: The two mongrels quarantined at the state Veterinary Department in Balik Pulau here, after mauling an Irish tourist to death, have shown no signs of aggression despite being caged.

Department director Dr Wan Mohd Kamil Wan Nik said early observation showed there was no abnormal behaviour from the dogs.

The dogs are being quarantined for 10 days, from Monday, to allow the department to study their behavioural patterns.

He said the dog owner, Joseph Teoh, dropped by at the animal cell to bathe the dogs about 9am yesterday.
"The dogs appeared normal and Teoh had no problem handling them. There are also no signs that the dogs have rabies."

However, he said it was still early and the observation was far from over.

"There are still nine more days to go so we are keeping tabs on both dogs. We will update our report on a daily basis."

Asked on the matter of licensing, he said the Penang Island Municipal Council was tasked with issuing dog licences to owners.

"In Penang, unlike in other states, dog licensing is under the purview of the local council and not under the Veterinary Department. We have no jurisdiction as far as dog licensing is concerned."

Read more: 'Killer dogs show no signs of aggressive behaviour' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/14sety/Article#ixzz1Aq5D54Zo

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 100,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in this 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!

Penang Dog Attack Only Tip Of Iceberg

Pit Bulls: Extremely caring and trustworthy

LATEST UPDATE: The two mongrels are safe at Balik Pulau DVS.

It has not shown any signs of rabies so far and probably will not.   

If it does, the DVS will have to the track down all the other animals the canines have come in contact with to contain the situation.

The DVS has no intention to put the dogs down despite the owners requesting for it. The next step is to try and rehabilitate and get them adopted - pending a full report of the incident.

The DVS is in full control of the situation. Meanwhile, PETPOSITIVE has issued a full statement to The Star.  

PETPOSITIVE SAYS: 

HERE IS The Star's update on the latest situation on the dog mauling incident in Penang.

It is extremely difficult to say for sure what happened without knowing every fact that took place in the farm in Penang. 

However, one can always be sure that when it comes to canines, when they "kill" humans, it is almost always that they are victims of the tragedy as well.

We are positive that when animal experts dig in further, the truth of the case will definitely emerge.

For now, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is trying to rule out rabies. It is good that at least the matter is being handled by the DVS instead of the police or the local council. 

We will first have to wait and see if rabies was the cause. If not, the next step would be to see if the canines can be rehabilitated or more appropriately, who would be willing to adopt them.

Whatever the case, this is only the tip of the iceberg in matters regarding canine misbehaviour.

There are many dog owners who daily subject their animals to "aggressive training" - locking them away in small cages, keeping them tied all day with no social training.

These owners should NOT have pets in the first place.

The best way to keep dogs is allow them inside their homes and allow them to mingle with the rest of the family. NEVER AS PROPERTY PROTECTORS.

On another note, we refer to animal activist Christine Lai's comments in The Star that pit bulls possess a "ferocious streak". 

If Lai had checked her facts, she would have known that this is utter nonsense. 

Pit Bulls are another breed of highly caring dogs that are often victimised by stereotypes. Many of them are used as assistance and therapy dogs for the disabled. See HERE

The reason why some of the breed attacks people is because it is trained by humans to attack other humans.

Lai's comments are therefore counter-productive in helping assuage the fears of the public over dogs at this time.    

PET+BLOGSPOT

Tuesday January 11, 2011

Eye on two killer dogs

By TAN SIN CHOW, ANN TAN and TIFFANY LEONG WENYI
north@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: The two mongrels that attacked an Irishman have been placed at the Balik Pulau veterinary department for observation. The dogs will not be put to sleep yet.

State Veterinary Department director Dr Wan Mohd Kamil Wan Nik said they would monitor the canines for 10 days to check if they had any dangerous diseases such as rabies.

A team comprising 10 veterinary personnel and two policemen picked up the two-year-old dogs, a male and a female named Lee and Ning respectively, from the organic farm in Teluk Bahang at about 2pm yesterday.
“We will not put the dogs to sleep at the moment. We have no authority to do so as this is now a police case,” said Dr Wan Mohd Kamil.

Under observation: Farm owner Joseph Teoh carrying Ning into the car before sending her to the Balik Pulau Veterinary Department Monday.

On Sunday, Irish tourist Maurice Sullivan, 50, died after he was mauled by the dogs at about 10am.
Dr Wan Mohd Kamil said that once the observation period was over, he would write to the police on the next course of action.

He said nothing would be done to the two other dogs at the farm.

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zain said the 41-year-old farm owner is being investigated under Section 289 of the Penal Code for negligence with respect to animals.

He said they had recorded statements from relevant parties, adding that the investigation was expected to be completed by this week.

Separately, dog lovers want owners to be more responsible about pet care.

“Owners should be well-informed and educated before they are given the licence to keep pets,” said Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association president Anthony Thanasayan.
He is also a councillor of the Petaling Jaya City Council and Canine Advisory Team (CAT) chairman.
Thanasayan said dogs usually acted according to the owner’s instructions, or from how their masters treated them.

The Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better canine welfare organisation urged the Department of Veterinary Services to investigate the living conditions and the kind of treatment previously received by the two dogs.

“The department should also find out if the dogs had a mix of the pit bull breed, which is banned in Malaysia for its ferocious streak,” said coordinator Christine Lai.

Tuesday January 11, 2011

Friend won’t press charges against farm owners

GEORGE TOWN: The Polish friend of Irish tourist Maurice Sullivan, who was mauled to death by two mongrels at an organic farm in Teluk Bahang, is not initiating legal action against the farm owner.
Agnieszka Jablonska, 28, said she would not press charges against Joseph Teoh, 41, and his family members.

Offering support: Teoh and his wife Beatrice offering their condolences to Jablonska (right) Monday.

“I do not want to aggravate the matter as Teoh and his wife are already in a difficult situation,” she said.
“I believe Sullivan would not want me to do so as well. This is life, and accidents happen.
“Everything is fated. I believe Sullivan is at peace now,” she said at the Penang Hospital mortuary here yesterday.

At about 2.30pm yesterday, a representative from the Irish Embassy met with Jablonska for about 90 minutes.

He, however, refused to divulge details, including information on the funeral arrangements.

Some officers from the Tourism Ministry were also present at the mortuary, acting as observers and to extend their condolences.

Penang Hospital senior consultant pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh said Sullivan had died of severe haemorrhage, adding that he also suffered multiple body bites, especially on the limbs, head and neck.

“There were also laceration wounds on his jaw and left neck. His left face and both ears were also torn off,” he told reporters after conducting a three-hour post-mortem.

Dr Bhupinder said Sullivan’s wish to donate his organs could not be fulfilled as, by the time Jablonska conveyed the message to the hospital, it was too late to harvest them.

Meanwhile, Teoh pleaded for privacy to recover from the tragedy.

“My wife and friends have been traumatised by the incident. Please give us some space,” he said.
He said his dogs were sensitive to children, adding that he still could not understand what had caused the attack.

His wife Beatrice Teoh said Sullivan had contacted them via an online website, known as HelpX, to work as volunteers at the farm.

“This is the first time we accepted volunteers,” she said. Beatrice said she did not want the dogs anymore.
“It will only be fair to Sullivan if these dogs are taken away by the authorities.”


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 100,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in this 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!

PIT BULLS ARE ALSO VICTIMS IN DOG BITES

OUR THEME this week is dedicated to the Pit Bull Terrier and all other so-called "Killer-dogs" in the world.

These include a whole string of them from Rottweilers to German Shepherds and more.

We hope that the incredibly challenging video that we're featuring this week at the top of the page will go a long way to raise awareness as to how Pit Bulls and most other dogs have unjustly been portrayed as killer dogs.

In fact, our first picture on the top left should already start dispelling many of the myths surrounding these wonderful creatures.

Pit Bulls are used in America as service and therapy dogs.

Not long ago there was a local incident of a "pit bull attacking a man".

However, when one of our veterinarians went to see the dog in the pound where it was "under arrest", so to speak, it turned out to be not a pit bull at all.

Just see how these wonderful creatures cuddle up to babes (picture 3). One cannot agree with the video more. It usually us who are to blame when the media go witch-hunting for these fine breeds.

Our desire to make things what they really are not fuels the press to rush to print stories when a pit bull, Doberman, Rottie or GSD is involved.

Finally my Rottie Vai who turned 13-years old on January 29 last month went for an Xray at Segar Animal Hospital in Cheras, yesterday.

Vai had only good news to receive from his doctor, Kathiravan Sethu from the Hartamas Veterinary Clinic when it was done. Vai is scheduled to go into the clinic in a fortnight from now for a follow up check-up.

Vai's picture is the last one to appear in this space. The picture which was taken a couple of hours ago shows the muscular dog trying to give me a smile.

Vai is arguably the first service dog in the country. I have retired him now of course owing to his old age. You could also call him an ambassador of sorts for all Rottweilers in the nation as the old boy was responsible to get the Shah Alam Municipality to change its mind over the blanket ban on Rottweilers. The decision against the breed followed an incident where a Rottie had badly bitten a young boy not very long ago.

A video of Vai helping me at home made the authorities go soft and revoke the ban.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT