Animal Welfare In Ipoh Poised To Get Better From Now

PETPOSITIVE NEWS!

DATELINE: NOAH'S ARK, IPOH, PERAK

THE SITUATION FOR STRAY DOGS IN IPOH APPEARS TO BE TURNING FOR THE BETTER FOR NOW. 

Members of the animal nongovernmental organisation Noah's Ark Ipoh or NAI has their meeting at last with the Ipoh City Council (MBI) on Tuesday, July 3rd last week. 

NAI president Malika Oates reports that the meeting was held with officials from MBI as well as representatives from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Perak.

It was chaired by Dato Rahim bin Mohd Ariff (left), the city's secretary.

The meeting was called by the MBI to continue the discussions with animal NGOs to come up with a seminar on responsible pet ownership for Ipoh's residents.

The council was also interested in discussing the legal aspects of licensing and stray management.

Animal NGOs meeting Rahim against dog-shooting

"It was established at the meeting that MBI would hereafter be working together with the DVS as well as animal NGOs in all animal issues," wrote Malika to PET+BLOGSPOT.

"Dato Rahim also expressed MBI's interest in working with other local councils on how they manage stray control in their respective areas," she added.

MBI animal control unit meeting MBPJ's team for learning experience

"On our part," Malika went on, "we pointed out that we understood that MBI had to act on the overpopulation of strays but also pointed out the role of not spaying animals and irresponsible pet ownership at contributing factors to the problem.

"We also suggested that education of the public and animal control authorities was the answer."

On the suggestion that local council officers be trained to euthanize dogs, it was shot down immediately by a DVS representative.

Only trained and a registered practitioner can administer dangerous drugs, said the DVS according to Malika.

The DVS then advised MBI to hire a vet in the council to put down animals.

Another suggestion was to set up a local pound for captured dogs and cats so that owners of pets whose animals were caught will have time to collect them from the pound after paying their fines.

MBI agreed to work with NAI to come up with more effective ways in dog catching.

The date of the RPO seminar has been tentatively put for September 8, 2012.

All in all, Malika thought it was a good meeting and a great start to helping animals in Ipoh.      

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!

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!

More Rabid Comments By MBI Over Dogs

MBI with MBPJ - after learning visit with the latter

LATEST! We have just been made to understand that the quote from the mayor saying they do not use lethal injection in putting down the strays is a really a misquote from the newspaper. So please take note. Thank you! 

 

PET+BLOGSPOT SAYS: 

 

UTTERLY UNBELIEVABLE! 

Does the good mayor realise the gravity of his statement which has now apparently become his confession? 

Animal NGOs will surely start getting rabid over this.

No lethal injection to put down animals? Then how are they killing them? As far as we know, there is no other humane method than using a lethal syringe to put down animals painlessly. 

MBI must now immediately declare how the strays are being destroyed!

Any other means than a lethal injection would be tantamount to animal cruelty and action should be taken against the council. 

No DVS officers needed when putting down animals? Here's something clearly for the veterinary department to raise their heckles. 

MBPJ and MPK hiring dogcathers? No way sir, they have their own animal control officers to do the job which is a much better thing to do as it gives you control on what is being done to the animals. 

Yes, of course, the MBI has the right to round up strays or any animals on the street without a leash but the biggest question now is: how is MBI putting down the animals that it catches?

It's really a shame that MBI has sunk to this new low level on stray management - especially after it had visited MBPJ and heard the council's success story of handling its strays. 

MBPJ and Petpositive and Noah's Ark Ipoh in MBI

They are handed to PAWS, an animal shelter in which the local council pays RM20 for each puppy, dog, kitten and cat surrended to the shelter. 

Last but not least, no intentions of having a pound? This is certainly a negative step backward of any city that wants respects from the world.

PET+BLOGSPOT   

 

Wednesday June 13, 2012

Roshidi: Stray dogs put down and buried properly at landfill by contractor

By IVAN LOH

ivanloh@thestar.com.my

THERE is nothing inhumane in the way stray dogs are caught and disposed off in the city, said Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim.

He said Rimbunan Bakti Sdn Bhd, the contractor engaged for the task had acted professionally.

“The same contractor is hired by local councils in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Seremban, Klang and Johor Baru.

“We employed them because they have experience in catching stray dogs,” he told The Star.

Datuk Roshidi Hashim

Roshidi said the contractor had not used lethal injection to put down the animals.
“The contractor did not shoot the dogs either,” he said, adding that there were no bylaws requiring the presence of a Veterinary Services Department officer when the animals are put down.

He added that the dead dogs were properly buried at the city’s landfill in Papan.

On Saturday, members of Noah’s Ark Ipoh (NAI) and animal lovers held a candlelight vigil outside the Mentri Besar’s official residence, pleading with him to intervene against the purported animal cruelty.

They alleged that the contractor killed the dogs cruelly while accusing the council of being insincere in working with NAI to tackle the problem of strays.

“There is no truth to the claims that the contractor had caught pets owned by the public and killed them.

“Pet dogs, which were caught, were returned to their respective owners when in fact, we are not obliged to return dogs that do not have licences,” said Roshidi.

He also rejected demands for the council to set up a dog pound, saying that it was neither suitable nor effective.

“In fact, it is much worse and cruel to keep dogs in cages and if some of them have infections or diseases, this will spread to the others,” he said.

The council, Roshidi added, was caught in a “Catch 22” situation as it faced pressure from both the public and animal rights groups.

“There are many public complaints of stray dogs, especially at market areas, requiring us to take urgent action.

“NAI has to understand that the council had acted in order to prevent untoward incidents.

“We do not want to act only after someone has been bitten.

“Then we will be blamed for not preventing it,” he said, stressing that only stray dogs that posed a threat to public safety and hygiene would be caught.

Roshidi added that he had nothing against dogs.

“There was nothing racial about the action; it was strictly for public safety,” he said.

On claims by NAI that the council had kept postponing and cancelling meetings to discuss a solution for the stray dog problem, Roshidi said only one such meeting was cancelled.

“The Council secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Md Ariff, who was given the task to oversee the matter, had cancelled the meeting due to an urgent personal matter,” he said, adding that Abdul Rahim had contacted NAI to set up a new meeting date.

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!

Ipoh City Council Willing To Talk Dog With Noah's Ark

PET+NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE STATE SECRETARIAT BUILDING, IPOH, PERAK:

ANIMAL RIGHTS AND WELFARE GROUP NOAH'S ARK is hailing its meeting with State Health Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon here this afternoon as a "success." 

However, it is being done with a certain amount of cautious optimism. 

As many as half a dozen members from the animal advocacy group, which has been vigilantly fighting against dog-shooting in the city, turned up to meet Dr Mah at 3pm. 

The meeting - reported to be very cordial - ended about one-and-a-half-hours later. 

Also present at the meeting was the Ipoh City Council's (MBI) secretary Dato Abdul Rahim Md Ariff who last met the group in November of 2010 and announced a ban in dog-shooting in Ipoh.

Noah's Ark and gang in Ipoh in 2010

"The first thing we raised at the meeting was why had MBI not honoured its statement that dog-shooting was banned," pointed out said Noah's Ark president Malika Oates to PET+BLOGSPOT as she was travelling back to her home after the event.

"The Council gave some weak excuses claiming that the ban was in effect but only in isolated cases involving 'violent' dogs was shooting carried out," explained Malika who led the Noah's Ark team.

Malika: Ban Dog Shooting!

When asked to explain how five dogs were shot on April 4 this month, MBI claimed that their officers had originally gone to dart the animals.

However, when one of the darted animals started crying for help, the rest of the strays got violent and came to attack the dogcatchers, said the council.    

They claimed they had no choice but to start shooting the animals.

This story contradicts the account of a veterinarian who treated the animals, saying the dogs were very friendly despite the fact that they were shot.

The incident resulted in the death of three dogs whilst two were rescued, treated and returned to the area.

The MBI also claimed that a veterinarian from the Department of Veterinary Services was invited to follow their team when they went to catch the strays.

"The positive side of the meeting is that Noah's Ark has been called for a special meeting on Monday next week to plan a seminar scheduled for May 14 next month to tackle the issue of stray animals," said Malika.

"Whilst we at Noah's Ark are happy with the idea, we hope that all this is not simply just a political exercise meant for the looming general elections," she added.

"What we want to see from MBI is a sincere willingness to work with NGOs for the betterment of homeless animals." She concluded.

For more information, CLICK HERE.
  


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!

Ipoh Animal Rights Group To Meet Dr Mah Shortly

PET+NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE STATE SECRETARIAT BUILDING, IPOH, PERAK:

ANIMAL RIGHTS AND WELFARE GROUP NOAH'S ARK will be meeting State Health Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon here within the hour. 

They have been summoned by Dr Mah to discuss their complaints against the Ipoh Council (MBI) for shooting stray dogs recently.  (See HERE)

Noah's Ark told PET+BLOGSPOT that they will also be raising up several other pertinent issues on the council's management of strays.


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!

Protest Over MBI Dog Shooting This Morning

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH! 

UPDATE: Almost a dozen members of Noah's Ark gathered this morning. The MB was apparently concerned by the demonstration and officials were sent to attend to the protesters. MBI promised to call the NGOs for a meeting to discuss the issue of dog-shooting. Congratulations Noah's Ark of Ipoh for your derring-do that brought about the authorities attention to the issue.

DATELINE JALAN GANTANG, IPOH, PERAK: 


A GROUP OF ANIMAL LOVERS will be gathering this morning at the state secretariat building here to protest against a dog-shooting incident that happened in Jalan Tasek yesterday where three stray dogs were killed. 

Two other canines narrowly escaped death but remain critically injured in a veterinary clinic in the city. 

The incident happened in the morning when Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh's (MBI) dogcatchers responded to complaints about stray dogs in an industrial area.

Happier times with MBI

The local council which had given their word that in 2010 that they would not shoot dogs again obviously broke their promise when they carried their exercise to destroy the dogs.

A factory owner where the strays were shot sent out an SOS message to Noah's Ark Ipoh which rushed the injured animals to the vet.

Said Dr Ranjit Mendhir, Treasurer of Noah's Ark:     



"We want to bring the attention of dog-shooting to the Chief Minister through our peaceful protest. 

Overseas file picture

"That is why we decided to be there when the assembly is going on. 

Dr Ranjit who is a veterinarian said animal lovers in Ipoh were extremely disappointed with MBI's attitude towards dog-shooting. 

"We have been trying countless of times to speak to them about finding more humane ways to solve the stray problem but they have refused to enter into dialogue with us.

"Perhaps after tomorrow, they will be more willing to do so," she told PET+BLOGSPOT last night. 

Several dozen animal lovers are expected to join Noah's Ark protest. Representatives from SPCA Ipoh and PETPOSITIVE may also be there.

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!