Even at this day and age, we hear of so many barbaric actions in our country. The local council should take serious action or they will also be seen to condone such action. They should audit the operations of these contractors and impose heavy fines should they flout any of the standard operating procedures especially those related to cruelty to the animals.

Hope they will do this seriously and quickly.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Tuesday November 8, 2011

MPKj probing allegations of dogcatchers mistreating captured strays

KAJANG: The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) is investigating claims that stray dogs caught by its catchers were not given proper shelter and left to starve to death.

 

Councillor S. Arutchelvan said MPKj’s Health and City Services Department was conducting a probe following claims that the dogs, which had been scheduled to be put down, died after being deprived of food and water for days.

 

“The department’s director will also speak to the contractors to ensure that strays are treated properly before they are put down,” he said when contacted yesterday.

“We take this matter seriously and it will be brought up at the council’s full board meeting next week,” Arutchelvan added.

He said MPKj had approved the budget for a dog pound to be built last year but it was still looking for land to construct the building.

It was learnt that the stray dogs captured by the dogcatchers were allegedly kept in an uncovered lorry and exposed to the sun and rain before being put down.

A police report lodged by independent animal rescuer T. Puspa Rani also claimed that the dogs were not given any food and water, causing them to starve to death.

“The dogs are put to sleep only after the dog catchers have captured enough to fill the lorry. This could take days. By the time the lorry is full, the first few dogs would have died of starvation,” she said.

Puspa Rani, 35, also claimed that the dogs would fight because they were hungry.

A check by The Star here yesterday revealed that the captured strays appeared weak and were kept in a lorry littered with dog faeces.

Several Good Samaritans were seen bringing food and water for the adult dogs and puppies.

Selangor SPCA chairman Christine Chin said the organisation would investigate the claims and work with the Veterinary Services Depart­ment to assist MPKj in conducting humane practices in managing stray dogs.

Garden of Eden Animal Sanctuary co- founder Ruth Chow said local councils which did not care for the basic needs of animals should be brought to book.

Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better coordinator Christine Lai said local councils were the “biggest dog abusers in the country” but little was done to counter their cruelty.

PAWS marketing communications officer Dave Avran urged action to be taken if the allegations against MPKj were proven true.

“This matter of local councils treating stray animals inhumanely is a long-standing issue and has got to stop immediately,” he said.