THE Perak government is open to allowing animal welfare non-governmental organisations to manage a piece of land for stray dogs near the Papan landfill.
State local government committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said the NGOs, however, would need to form a single body to do so.
“We have engaged with several NGOs who came to see me over the issue near the landfill.
“We ask them to collaborate as a group and not as individual groups,” she told StarMetro.
“We want them to work together and officially form a body so we know who we are dealing with.
“If they can do it, I can arrange for them to discuss with Ipoh City Council that’s handling the stray dogs there.
“For the moment, dogs caught by the city council will still be sent there as we do not have other options,” she said.
StarMetro had in July reported that it was no longer sustainable to continue sending stray dogs to the area near the landfill.
The number of stray dogs have tripled since 2020, with the animals venturing out to nearby residential and commercial areas in search of food and shelter.
Nolee Ashilin had in August 2020 said that plots of land near the Papan landfill had been offered to three animal welfare NGOs, namely Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Noah’s Ark Ipoh as well as Mutts and Mittens, to be used for matters related to stray animals.
On this, Nolee Ashilin said only one NGO was open to the offer.
She also said that the state was putting up a plan to improve procedures to handle strays.
She said discussions were still ongoing to amend the pets licensing by-law by making it compulsory to neuter their animals at a certain point.
“There is a limit as to how many dogs one can have. We are planning to institute it (a by-law) that after a certain time, owners will need to neuter their pets.
“Owners who want their dogs to breed will be given time to do so.”
At a separate press conference, Nolee Ashilin said the city council community integration sporting event that was held over the weekend would be expanded to other districts.
She said the event was meant to enhance rapport between the people and the local councils.
“It’s great to see participation from different communities, showing sportsmanship and cooperation,” she said during the prize presentation at Perak Stadium.
The event saw the participation of people from 24 zones led by their respective councillors.
Among the games played were bowling, dart, netball and penalty kick challenge.
