STATEMENT FROM KTMB

20 Mac 2010


to : malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com

KTM BERHAD’S RESPONSE ON MALAYSIAKINI’S ARTICLE ON THE CAPTURE AND TORTURE OF STRAY DOG AT KTM KOMUTER KEPONG SENTRAL STATION

The complaint letter by M.Nisha (Ghastly animal abuse at Kepong KTM Station) in Malaysiakini dated 17 March 2010 is referred. KTM Berhad undoubtedly agrees that animal cruelty is not an acceptable behavior by any sane individual. It is uncivilized and intolerable by any religion and race in the world.

As reported, KTM Berhad has confirmed that the incident took place at KTM Komuter Kepong Sentral Station.

For your information, KTM Berhad, represented by a group of its senior officers, had conducted an investigation and went to see the staff at the said station to get more information as well as to visit the location of the incident. Essentially, the unpleasant incident had nothing to do with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) or any of its employees. The name of the organisation was quoted indirectly when our counter clerk, who was not really aware of the incident, was asked about the situation. The clerk answered on impulse when he said that the dog was ‘perhaps’ captured and strapped by the officers from DBKL.

Even though his remarks was said by mistake, we are sorry for that he should have had investigated the situation before providing any statement. KTM Berhad is deeply sorry for the situation and would like to apologise to DBKL. It was not our intention to smear the image of DBKL with the incident. We hope DBKL is willing to accept our sincere apology.

With regards to the incident on 15 March 2010, the stray dog was captured by the staff of KTM Berhad with the help from our janitors who work at the station. For your information, the dog has been roaming the station for almost two years, and during that period, KTM Berhad had lodged more than three reports to Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) via telephone, with the final report made one day before the dog was captured, which was on 14 March 2010.

The necessity to catch the dog was made due to its troubling behavior whereby it had attacked and bitten our passengers at the parking area as well as in front of the KTM Komuter Kepong Sentral Station ticketing counter. However, the attacks and bites did not inflict any serious injuries so far. The last attack was reported on the evening after it was released which involved one Vietnamese passenger. Aside from that, we also found its feces around the platform area and during rainy seasons, the dog posed an inconvenience for the Muslim passengers especially, as its wet fur might touch them.

The decision to capture the dog was made due to the operation requirement, not because of the minister visit as per quoted by our staff. The dog was caught at round 12.00 noon and released at 1.30 pm. According to the staff we investigated, the piece of wood which was claimed shoved into his throat was not true. They did tie the dog to the fence. However, they did not shove the wood into its throat with the intention to torture or inflict injury to the animal. The wood, which was seen in its mouth, was the bait used when they were trying to catch it and the dog kept biting on the end of it. The staff tried to remove it from its jaw but it clamped the wood shut, we only managed to remove it after the second try.

The dog was released because we did not receive any confirmation from MPS to collect the animal. As reported, the dog was still straying around the area after it had been released.

I hope the general public should also appreciate the effort taken by the KTMB staff to address this recurring nuisance towards our KTM Commuter passengers whose patronage and peace has been disturbed by this stray dog. Whilst, we do recognize the method, in this instance, was questionable, it was done purely for the sake and comfort of our passengers. There was no intent of being cruel or to torture the stray dog. Our priority is for the safety and well-being of our passengers.

We will make sure that there will be no similar incident to take place. We have identified more efficient alternatives in handling stray dogs/wild animals, which is by contacting the SPCA and the local authorities to solve the problem at other stations as well.

We do not condone animal cruelty, what more to be a part of the brutality. However, I think the public should also evaluate the original intention it was meant to and not to quickly jump to condemn the method use without understanding the sequence of events. I am sure, all of us, when bitten by a mosquito, will hit it instantly without much thought. Is that considered as cruelty to insects? I know for a fact that, some time ago, when the crows [gagak] cause serious unhealthy situation in Klang, a campaign was mounted to shoot down the crows in a big way when their presence became intolerable. Is there some other way of doing it?

We truly hope that the explanation given is clear and we hope that the incident does not reflect the organisation in general.


Thank you.

Dr Aminuddin Adnan
aminuddin@ktmb.com.my
President
KTMB



20 Mac 2010


to : malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com



RESPON KTM BERHAD TERHADAP SIARAN MALAYSIA KINI BERKENAAN PENANGKAPAN DAN PENYEKSAAN ANJING LIAR DI STESEN KTM KOMUTER KEPONG SENTRAL

Siaran Malaysiakini oleh M.Nisha (Ghastly animal abuse at Kepong KTM Station) bertarikh 17 Mac 2010 berkenaan perkara di atas adalah di rujuk. KTM Berhad bersetuju tanpa prasangka bahawa perbuatan menyiksa binatang adalah sesuatu yang tidak sepatutnya dilakukan oleh manusia yang mempunyai akal fikiran. Ianya adalah sesuatu yang tidak bertamadun dan tidak dapat diterima oleh mana-mana agama dan bangsa di dunia ini.

Sebagaimana yang dilaporkan, KTM Berhad mengesahkan bahawa ianya berlaku di Stesen KTM Komuter Kepong Sentral.

Untuk makluman, KTM Berhad yang diwakili beberapa pegawai kanan telah melakukan siasatan dalaman pada 18 Mac 2010 dengan memanggil kakitangan berkaitan bagi mendapatkan perincian peristiwa dan melawat ke lokasi kejadian pada 19 Mac 2010. Secara dasarnya, insiden ini tiada kaitan secara langsung dengan penguatkuasa dari Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) atau mana-mana kakitangan dari badan tersebut. Nama DBKL tercetus secara tidak langsung apabila soalan diajukan kepada kakitangan kerani kaunter kami pada hari kejadian yang sebenarnya tidak mendapatkan gambaran jelas berkenaan apa yang berlaku. Beliau secara spontan, ketika ditanya pengadu, menjawab bahawa anjing tersebut ‘berkemungkinan’ ditangkap dan ditambat oleh petugas dari DBKL.

Walaupun ianya dilakukan tanpa sengaja, namun kami kesal kerana beliau sepatutnya menyiasat terlebih dahulu sebelum memberikan sebarang kenyataan. KTM Berhad berdukacita atas situasi ini dan memohon maaf kepada pihak DBKL. Kami tiada niat untuk memburukkan imej DBKL dengan apa yang berlaku dan berharap pihak DBKL dapat menerima permohonan maaf kami.

Berkenaan insiden pada 15 Mac 2010 tersebut, anjing tersebut telah ditangkap oleh kakitangan KTM Berhad dengan bantuan pekerja kontrak pembersihan di stesen tersebut. Untuk makluman, anjing tersebut telah berada di stesen tersebut hampir dua tahun dan di sepanjang tempoh tersebut, KTM Berhad telah membuat lebih dari tiga aduan kepada Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) melalui telefon dan aduan terakhir dibuat adalah sehari sebelum anjing tersebut ditangkap iaitu pada 14 Mac 2010.

Keperluan kepada menangkap anjing tersebut adalah berdasarkan kewujudannya mengganggu penumpang kerana anjing tersebut pernah menyerang dan menggigit penumpang yang berada di sekitar kawasan meletak kenderaan dan berhadapan kaunter tiket KTM Komuter Kepong Sentral. Walau bagaimanapun serangan dan gigitan oleh anjing tersebut tidaklah sehingga membawa kepada keadaan kecederaan yang serius. Kes terakhir serangan oleh anjing tersebut adalah pada petang selepas ia dibebaskan iaitu serangan ke atas seorang warga Vietnam. Selain itu, anjing tersebut telah banyak kali membuang najisnya di kawasan platform dan ketika waktu hujan, kehadirannya di stesen akan meresahkan penumpang kerana air dari kibasan bulunya akan mengenai penumpang dan ianya suatu kesulitan terutama kepada penumpang beragama Islam.

Keputusan untuk menangkap anjing tersebut bukanlah berdasarkan lawatan menteri seperti dinyatakan namun dibuat atas keperluan operasi. Anjing tersebut yang ditangkap pada jam 12.00 tengahari dan kemudiannya dilepaskan semula pada jam 1.30 petang. Menurut kakitangan yang disoal, kehadiran kayu yang didakwa ditusuk ke kerongkong anjing tersebut adalah tidak benar. Kakitangan terlibat hanya mengikat anjing tersebut di pagar stesen namun tidak memasukkan sebarang kayu pada kerongkong dengan berniat menyiksa atau mencederakannya. Kayu yang dilihat ada pada mulut anjing tersebut hanya umpan untuk menangkapnya dan kayu tersebut telah digigit oleh anjing tersebut di bahagian hujungnya sahaja. Pihak kami telah melakukan dua cubaan untuk mengeluarkan kayu tersebut dan hanya berjaya dikeluarkan pada cubaan kedua kerana gigitan kuat pada kayu oleh anjing tersebut.

Anjing tersebut dilepaskan kembali kerana pihak kami tidak dapat sebarang pengesahan akan kehadiran MPS untuk mengambil anjing ini. Sebagaimana yang dilaporkan, sejurus anjing ini dilepaskan, ianya kembali berkeliaran di kawasan stesen.

Saya berharap orang ramai dapat membuat penilaian yang sewajarnya atas usaha yang telah diambil oleh kakitangan KTMB untuk menangani masalah anjing liar ini yang telah mengganggu ketenteraman penumpang-penumpang KTM Komuter dan menjadi satu nuisance yang berlarutan. Walaupun kaedah yang digunakan oleh kakitangan KTMB mungkin dipertikaikan, ianya dilakukan semata-mata bertujuan untuk menjamin keselamatan dan keselesaan penumpang-penumpang kami dan bukan niat menyiksa haiwan tersebut. Saya rasa kepentingan penumpang adalah prioriti kami.

Pihak kami akan memastikan selepas ini tiada lagi kejadian serupa berlaku. Pihak kami telah mengenal pasti alternatif yang lebih efisien untuk menangani masalah anjing/haiwan liar ini iaitu dengan menghubungi SPCA selain pihak berkuasa tempatan bagi menangani masalah sama di stesen-stesen lain.

Kami sama sekali tidak menyokong perbuatan menzalimi haiwan apatah lagi untuk bersubahat melakukannya. Walaubagaimana pun, saya rasa orang ramai juga perlu menilai tujuan asal langkah yang diambil dan tidak terus menghukum cara ianya dijalankan. Saya rasa semua orang, apabila digigit nyamuk, akan menampar nyamuk tersebut. Adakah itu juga boleh dianggap sebagai satu kekejaman kepada serangga? Setahu saya, satu ketika di Kelang, apabila burung-burung gagak menimbulkan masalah sampah sarap, satu usaha menembak gagak-gagak tersebut telah dijalankan secara besar-besaran untuk mengatasi masalah itu. Adakah cara penyelesaian yang lain?

Kami berharap agar penjelasan diberi adalah jelas dan memohon agar apa yang berlaku tidak dijadikan kayu ukur kepada sifat organisasi ini secara keseluruhannya.

Terima kasih.


Dr Aminuddin Adnan
aminuddin@ktmb.com.my
President
KTMB

What's going on.........

Just when we thought we can take a short break from advocacy and update our supporters about our rescue work - this crops up. We are shocked and appalled that human beings can actually resort to such cruelty. The letter says the six young people were told that the dog had been tied-up like that for quite a while - didn't it kick the conscience of the people who had passed by? Our rescuer friend Miza Nordin says she will go an look for the dog this evening as it definetely needs medical attention. The stick has also been identified as the pole used by council dog catchers. So, there must be truth that the dog was tied in that position by DBKL workers. We called KTM and its public relations officer Fazil said he too was shocked with the pictures. He has asked for emails to be directed to him and said he would redirect them all to the KTMB president.

Here's the letter which appeared in Malaysiakini. Take a look at the picture.

M Nisha
Mar 17, 10
4:43pm

I am writing because of a grievous incident that took place on Monday, March 15 at about 3pm at Kepong Central KTM Station. My friends and I (six of us) were there to take the train to the Bank Negara station.

After parking our cars, we heard a dog howling, more like a painful cry. Then, we noticed a dog being tied to the grill (steel fence) of the KTM station. As we approached the dog, we stood aghast at the sight.

The stray dog's leg and neck was tied very tightly to the grill and a piece of wood had been shoved down inside its throat! The dog was bleeding and its feces were all around it. The string was attached to a pole in the KTM station.

Immediately, we confronted the KTM workers. They said that it was done by Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers because a minister was to be visiting the station next week. They failed to explain further.

At once, we called the SPCA and the Paws animal welfare society. The SPCA responded efficiently by informing us that an animal control officer would be there soon. We made a slight commotion in front of the KTM station but the KTM workers were not concerned at all.

After about an hour, as we were returning to the KTM Kepong Central Station, we received a call from the SPCA officer stating that the dog was now not tied up and was moving around. When we arrived, the dog was limping. The same KTM workers avoided us as we tried to confront them. A passer-by told us that the dog has been that way for quite some time.

The SPCA officer could not capture the dog as it walked away for quite a distance. He advised us to write to the media and to the SPCA as well.

Doenn't our country's animal rights support the idea that an animal has the right to live its life without being harmed and hurt by humans? We realize that people define the meaning of animal rights and abuse in different ways but aren't the citizens of our country merciful?

This dog could have been just put to sleep if it had been harming the public or causing a nuisance. Why stick a wooden stick down its throat?


So people, its back to pushing for justice again.

KTMB - write to:

fazil@ktmb.com.my
Fazil - 03- 22631106

DEWAN BANDARAYA

DATUK BANDAR KUALA LUMPUR
Y. Bhg. Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Bin Ismail
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-2617 9070
datukbandar@dbkl.gov.my

En. Mohamad Salleh bin Abdullah
Pegawai Khas I Datuk Bandar
Tel: 603-2617 9075

En. Md Aznan bin Md. Zain
Pegawai Khas II Datuk Bandar
Tel: 603-2617 9066

DBKL's man in charge of dog catching

Dr. Zainol Ariffin bin Pawanchee
603-2027 5301

Aduan DBKL:

03-2617 9925
03-2617 9936
dbkl@dbkl.gov.my

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry (Under which DBKL falls)

Minister
YB. Dato' Raja Nong Chik
bin Dato' Raja Zainal Abidin
rnc@kwp.gov.my
03-88897878


Roslima bt. Muhammad
Pembantu Khas Menteri
roslima@@kwp.gov.my

Zainor binti Mohd Nor
Pembantu Tadbir (Kesetiausahaan) Menteri
zainor@kwp.gov.my

Shazril Fariza bin Faridam
Setiausaha Sulit Kanan
shazril@kwp.gov.my


Deputy Minister

YB. Datuk M. Saravanan
Timbalan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan
Dan Kesejahteraan Bandar
03-88897998
saravanan@kwp.gov.my

Suria Kumar a/l Subramaniam
Setiausaha Sulit Kanan Timbalan Menteri
03-88897997
sooria@kwp.gov.my


Deputy Minister in charge of public complaints at the Prime Minister's Department

Datuk T. Murugiah
murugiah@pmo.gov.my

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BUREAU - PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT MALAYSIA - You can make online complaints
http://www.pcb.gov.my/
http://apps1.pcb.gov.my/eApps/bpaiaducmpl/AduCmplPublic/add.do?aplCode=en

STUPIDO

FROM DOGMEAT .ORG

FOOD?

Veterinary Services Department (DVS) deputy directorgeneral, Datuk Dr Ahmad Suhaimi Omar, suggests that stray dogs held at pounds be sold for human consumption as a method of stray management.

There has been many rumblings for some time now that the dogs were indeed being sold at the pounds. But we have no proof. But anyone worth his or her salt would know that no dog meat restaurant owner, who is in his right frame of mind, would dare serve his customers stray dogs with questionable health issues.

Is this why pet dogs and pedigrees are targeted - so that there is assurance that they have 'healthy' meat to serve their customers?

This is a point to ponder - has Ahmad Suhaimi let the cat out of the bag and not merely made a suggestion as everyone is made to believe?

Thanks to Siti Ruqayyah Chan for bringing this link to attention.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4p1tk_dogs-china-raw-5_animals

China is mulling at passing legislation to counter this and Ahmad Suhaimi Omar wants dog eating to be a norm here.

Does he want our Malaysian community to regress?

Does he want to promote what we see in the link here in Malaysia?

Shame on you Ahmad Suhaimi Omar, shame on you!

The Veterinary Services Department comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry,

Y.B. DATO' HAJI NOH BIN OMAR
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY
noh@moa.gov.my

Y.B. SENATOR DATO' SRI SHAHRIZAT ABDUL JALIL
MINISTER OF WOMEN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
shahrizat@kpwkm.gov.my

Deputy Minister in charge of public complaints at the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk T. Murugiah
murugiah@pmo.gov.my

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BUREAU - PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT MALAYSIA - You can make online complaints
http://www.pcb.gov.my/
http://apps1.pcb.gov.my/eApps/bpaiaducmpl/AduCmplPublic/add.do?aplCode=en

ADOPTION DRIVE

MALAYSIAN DOGS DESERVE BETTER will hold its monthly adoption drive at the SUMMIT SUBANG JAYA this Sunday, March 14.

We currently have 50 over puppies and dogs looking for homes and expect to bring at least 40 of them there.

A large number of the puppies and dogs will be those rescued from the Klang and Selayang pounds.

The adoption drive would be held from 11.00am to 7.00pm near the Starbucks entrance.

Those who want to drop off donations in kind such as rice, dog food, shampoo and towels could also do so at the adoption drive.

Details call: 019-357 6477 or 012-373 9007

MPS MUST BE CRAZY

Being watched

Being watched

Made to wait for over an hour in the hot sun

Our friends Evelyn and Jo went to the Selayang Municipal council pound this morning with cooked food, kibbles and canned food for the dogs. They stood for almost an hour outside the locked gate with no one coming to talk to them even though there were nine people inside the pound. However, several MPS people arrived at the scene and started taking pictures of the girls and keeping an eye on them. This can be perceived as intimidation. Evelyn and Jo did not give-up and stood there until some pound workers came out to take the food form them. They were not allowed in. When Evelyn asked what happens if dog owners came to take their dogs out, she was told that they would have to go to the office (open only during weekdays) to get a letter to come into the pound and once they have found their dog, they would have to travel miles again back to the office to pay the compound before taking their dog back home. Why is MPS making it difficult for owners and rescuers to take dogs out? Does it give them perverted satisfaction to see these poor animals dead rather than helping them to live? Anyway, some useless goons are accusing us of highlighting this to get money from the public. How much sicker can they get? We are not bums trying to make a fast buck from championing this cause. We are all gainfully employed professionals who cannot handle seeing animals suffer. Yes, we are dependant on public donations - how are we expected to pay the thousands of ringgit we currently owe several veterinary clinics without public help. Ironically these goons receive at least 50 times more in donations than us but do nothing at all for stray animals.. To these evil beings - all MDDB has to say is: STOP TRYING TO SABOTAGE THE CHANGE WE ARE TRYING TO INITIATE AT THE LOCAL COUNCIL POUNDS . YOU HAVE TARNISHED YOUR CREDIBILITY - DON'T MAKE IT WORSE. Btw we spoke to some dog catchers earlier in the day and they told us that the Selayang Pound is horrendous. They said the main reason behind this sad state of affairs is a tall woman. Could that be Ernie 013-6064446?

WE ARE LIARS?

Dr XAVIER JAYAKUMAR - drxavier@selangor.gov.my

Animal pounds ordered to clean up their act
by Meena L. Ramadas


SUBANG JAYA (March 2, 2010): The Selangor government has instructed all municipal councils to “clean up their act” concerning the management of animal pounds.

State executive councillor for health, estate workers' affairs, poverty eradication and caring government Dr Xavier Jayakumar said today all municipal councils have been told to maintain the cleanliness of the pounds, work with the Veterinary Services Department under the Agriculture Ministry and that officers have to treat sick animals and follow guidelines on euthanising them.

He said the recent spate of media reports on the poor condition of local council pounds had resulted in checks made to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), Klang Municipal Council (MPK) and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) pounds.

“The reports about the MPK pound was found to be not true,” he said, after launching a workshop organised by Canine Advisory Team (CAT) on the management of stray animals and pets in Selangor at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

“As far as MPS is concerned, we have informed the health section of the council to make the necessary changes,” he said.

A blog posting revealed that a dozen dogs had died in the MPS pound over the last one week due to mismanagement and slacking of caretaking duties.

Jayakumar said the state is working to streamline animal licensing guidelines across municipal and city councils.

He said the licensing guidelines vary across councils and the state intends to create a uniform set of guidelines to be practised by all councils.

“We are looking into the differences among the councils’ guidelines and we will consider all sensitivities,” he added.

He said the guidelines have been in place for a significant amount of time under the Local Government Act and changes take “a bit of time”.

Jayakumar said the state is also studying total procedural matters concerning the way in which animals are treated in municipal council pounds after receiving complaints on the management of pounds and animals.

He said the public should expect more information soon about a centralised pound to be established by the state.

Jayakumar said the facility requires at least two hectares and the only available land is in Sepang.

“I have plans for it and I have also spoken to consultants on ways to establish a environmentally-friendly facility,” he said.

“I am thinking about hiring veterinarian officers and veterinarian animal assistants as well as members of non-governmental organisations to educate owners on pet management.”

Meanwhile, the forum organised by CAT yielded five recommendations: local councils to work together with the veterinary department and officers, local councils to cooperate with NGOs on catching strays, microchipping for easy ownership identification, educating pet owners and more stringent licensing laws.

A total of 12 local councils participated in the forum. -- theSun

Councils and animal welfare groups must work together
Yia Zhi Jern and Stephanie Augustin

RAWANG (March 2, 2010): A non-governmental organisation (NGO) wants greater cooperation between animal welfare groups and local councils in dealing with the alleged mismanagement of pounds.

Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) and Canine Advisory Team (CAT) president Anthony Thanasayan said both parties have to work together to ensure animal welfare.

He was responding to the recent case of alleged mistreatment of dogs at the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) pound in Rawang.

The case came to light when the NGO, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), posted eyewitness accounts and photos on its blog on Feb 21. The photographs of dog carcasses, diseased dogs and tick-infested kennels outraged many animal lovers.

Following this, several other parties, including the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), MPS councillor Gunarajah George, and Petpositive's Thanasayan, who is also Petaling Jaya city councillor, visited the pound.

"It is not true that the pound is a hellhole. I’ve been to the pound and the dogs had food and clean water. I don’t know what happened before but today it looked okay," said Thanasayan who visited the pound on Feb 24.

However, he admits there could be negligence. "They have probably 60% knowledge required to look after the pound. The caretaker, who has come under fire, is actually knowledgeable in pound management as she attends CAT meetings on dog care," he added.

Thanasayan believes in engaging the council instead of hurling accusations at them.

"Clearly MPS needs help – they have admitted so. The council has immediately implemented some of the guidelines we submitted to them while some others will start in a month," said Thanasayan.

Some of the guidelines the council has decided to implement immediately include not entering compounds during operations, to stop catching puppies and unlicensed but collared dogs.

He said MPS Director of Health and Licensing Dr Razif Zainol Abidin had told him the pound would put in place measures to improve the situation within the next month.

These measures include separating strays and pets, looking into nutrition and canine healthcare, as well as euthanising strays.

Gunarajah, when contacted, said MPS will also form a committee involving representatives from the Health Department, MPS, Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Petpositive, MDDB and SPCA to monitor the pound.

Meanwhile, MPS and DVS have both launched separate inquiries into the Selayang pound situation. -- theSun

In THE STAR

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/2/central/5749888&sec=central

Tuesday March 2, 2010

Dogs in misery


THE Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) is facing the heat over its dog pound.

News of the terrible condition of the pound and the dogs housed there has spread and many animal lovers are aghast.

The pound is definitely not fit to house the animals.


Fenced up: The Selayang dog pound.

Caretakers have been neglecting their duties and have left the animals to suffer.

Since Monday, volunteers from various non-governmental organisations have visited the pound to do what they can for the dogs.

They brought items like food, bowls and brooms.

A spokesman from canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) said some of the dogs had already starved to death.

“They don’t feed the dogs properly or the right food. At some cells, plain rice is simply thrown in.

“The drinking water is kept in big old pails but the puppies are too small to reach the top and drink,” she added.

The spokesman also added that MPS staff had even gone to the extent of catching a dog in the toilet of a shop owned by the storekeeper.

“The staff said that according to the local authority’s by-laws, they can either compound the owner or seize the dog. They chose to seize the dog on the spot.

“When asked the reason for taking the dog away, the staff said that it ws because the owner could not afford to pay the fine of RM1,000.”

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor honorary chairman Christine Chin said the council had refused help extended by them.

“The council has a heartless and arrogant attitude. We want to provide food and disinfectant for the dogs in their pound but we have been rejected many times. We are not even allowed to see the pound.”

“The pound should be deloused and the cages disinfected daily. No dog should die of tick fever while in the pound and if they do die, it shows how ignorant the staff at the pound are in taking care of the animals.”

At a meeting between MPS and concerned non-governmental organisations, MPS councillor Gunarajah R. George said the method of rounding up strays in the future had been agreed upon.

“Workers from the pound are not allowed to seize dogs immediately. Instead, they have to issue a notice to the owner first.”

The staff were also not allowed to enter the owner’s premises without permission to seize an animal, said Gunarajah.

“If the animal has no licence, a compound would be issued and the owner advised to obtain the licence.”

“Food, water and the cleanliness of the cage will also be looked into,” he said.

MDDB and the SPCA urged the authorities to adopt the stray catching methods from Singapore and Indonesia where the animals are vaccinated and spayed.