Pitiful sight: The Doberman is believed to have been abandoned by its owners.http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/12/20/central/2824075&sec=central
Saturday December 20, 2008
Emaciated dog with inherited skin condition found wandering in Klang
By WANI MUTHIAH
INDEPENDENT animal rescuers are crying foul and want the relevant authorities to monitor dog breeders in the country after an emaciated, weak and disoriented Doberman was found wandering in Teluk Pulai, Klang, recently.
The dog, which is literally a walking skeleton, is also hairless due to a genetically inherited skin disorder.
The dog, which was wearing a good quality choke chain around its neck, is believed to have been abandoned by its owners who might not have known how to manage its skin condition.
Independent rescuer Leigh Chen said the Doberman’s inherited condition might be due to too much in-breeding.
“Many pedigree puppies come from backyard breeders and unlicensed puppy mills.
“These unscrupulous breeders have no qualms about mating siblings with each other or even offspring with their parents,” alleged Chen.
Chen said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS), as the custodian of animal welfare, must be given the power and legal right to crack down on errant breeders.
“In addition to this, it must also be made compulsory for pet shop owners to microchip the pets they sell, for identification,” she added.
Fellow rescuer Sherrina Krishnan concurred and advised the public to be cautious when buying pets.
“My only advice to people who buy pedigrees is, please don’t just buy one for the sake of buying one. Check the breeding conditions, check the breeders – ask for papers,” she said.
Meanwhile, a passer-by rescued the Doberman and handed it over to non-governmental organisation Community Development and Integration Initiative (CDII), which recently launched its canine welfare project dubbed “Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better”.
The dog has since been sent to a veterinary clinic where it was diagnosed to be suffering from severe heartworm infestation, low platelet count and malnutrition.
The attending veterinarian also said the dog was only about two years old.
According to CDII director Clarence C.R. Chua, his organisation’s canine welfare project emphasised a no-kill policy and therefore the dog would be treated and taken care of until its last day.
“It’s only two years old and therefore deserves a second chance to continue living,” said Chua.
He said CDII’s canine welfare project was a long-term plan aimed at opening a sanctuary and hospice for dogs in Selangor.
“We have a long way to go and need to raise funds to realise our plan.
“We also hope that the Selangor government will give us a helping hand by allocating us a piece of land for our sanctuary and hospice,” he added.
Those interested in sponsoring the abandoned Doberman’s treatment or adopting it can write to malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com.
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Thank you for your kindness. We hope that we will soon be able to finance the rescue cases ourselves instead of depending on the public for help.
Meanwhile, we have no other choice than depend on you generosity. The rescued Doberman needs to be treated for at least six months for its skin condition at the Klang Clinic.
We could pick the easy way out by putting it to sleep – but given that it had staggered towards a crowd of people at a pasar malam - indicates that the dog wanted help and its healthy appetite shows that it wants to get better and continue living.
Furthermore, we subscribe to a no kill policy and would only put a dog down if there’s absolutely no chance for it to survive.
But most importantly, the dog itself must first give up its fight to continue living before we decide on that move.
This girl wants to live - and we can see this from the way she cooperates when being administered medication.
Once she has been treated for her skin ailment at the Klang veterinary clinic, she would be sent to our regular vets at Ara Damansara for recuperation.
We thank you again for your support and contributions can be made by way of cheques made out to:
Thomas Animal Clinic & Pet Corner,
c/o No 48, Jalan Jeriji U8/75C,Bukit Jelutong,40150, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Or bank into:
Animal Health Center @ Ara,Maybank Account: 512352602980
Please email if you prefer to bank in you donation.
Thank you again and bless you.
