ISPCA is suggesting that complainants capture videos to show proof of street dogs chasing people, when lodging a complaint to the local council. — By RONNIE CHIN/The Star
ANIMAL welfare non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling for stronger measures to manage strays in Perak.
The NGOs, following public outrage over a distressing video showing uniformed workers burying dead dogs at a pound near the Lahat landfill, are urging for action to be taken on the catching, euthanising and reclaiming of captured dogs.
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Alongside animal lovers and community animal feeders, they are asking for the state government to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of captured dogs.
They stress that creating awareness among pet owners on being responsible for their pets is of utmost importance to prevent abandonment of dogs and cats.
Ideas on saving dogs
Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) president Ricky Soong is urging local councils to ask complainants for proof of being bitten or chased by dogs.
“If a person is bitten, get a letter from the doctor and provide photographs of the injury.
“If dogs are always chasing after people in an area, take videos of such incidents.
“This evidence can then be attached to the complaints and submitted to the council.
“We need to be fair to all, including NGOs, dog owners as well as the animals,” he said.
Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said the state was committed to addressing the issue on stray dogs prudently, humanely and in accordance with legal provisions.
Such efforts would be supported by awareness programmes like the Perak Pawsitive initiative which kicked off in 2024, said Ng.
Pet owners are advised to be with their pets when taking them out for walks.
She said the state government would collaborate with a few NGOs to create dedicated shelters for rescued strays.
Soong said the state should consider releasing captured dogs or rehoming them.
“Captured dogs are mostly strays, so rehoming them may be difficult.
“So, I believe it is better to release them back on the streets,” he said.
He stressed that the choice of areas should take community sensitivities into consideration.
“There should also be at least three volunteers who are willing to care for the dogs, before they are released in a residential area,” he added.
Soong also said these caretakers should be made to sign a form assuring that the dogs were not aggressive.
“If the dogs are aggressive and bite, then there can be no arguments for them to be euthanised,” he said.
He noted that neutered dogs were normally not aggressive.
He also said a more transparent process to euthanise dogs was needed.
“ISPCA usually lets the veterinarians determine if a dog is to be put down,” he said.
Soong also suggested a requirement for a third party – someone who is not from the local council or Veterinary Services Department (DVS) – to witness the entire process to ensure the standard operating procedure was followed.
“The person could be a ranked police officer, a court officer or Bar Council representative,” he added.
Microchips, awareness
Pet dogs should carry microchips, said Soong.
“It should be a requirement before dog licences are issued,” he said.
“If owners abandon or dump their pets, the microchip can be used to track them down,” he pointed out.
He said the microchip would contain information both on the owner and animal.
“Action should now focus on the owners, rather than NGOs, volunteers and community feeders, as owners are the main culprits behind dog abandonment,” he said.
Noah’s Ark Ipoh founder Dr Ranjit Kaur Mendhir said her group and a few other animal welfare NGOs had met with Ng to discuss plans on addressing the stray dog issue.
“For the short-term, we have been told to look for suitable plots of lands, get approval and set up shelters,” she said.
“I believe Perak is working towards adopting a move to microchip pets.
NGOs protesting outside the Ipoh City Council enforcement office over the killing of stray dogs.
“If everything goes as planned, this initiative can begin in January next year.
“Sandrea Ng also encouraged owners or carers to spay or neuter dogs under their care.
“The state is currently running the Perak Pawsitive programme to encourage owners to neuter their pets, with the state bearing the cost,”said Dr Ranjit.
She also called on the authorities to organise more awareness programmes so that people would not allow their pets to roam freely without supervision.
“Bring out loud hailers, inform owners to keep a hold on their dogs when outdoors and to pick up after them.
“The authorities can also put up posters or flyers, with pictures for people, especially those who are illiterate, to understand.”
Dr Ranjit also suggested allowing strays to remain in areas where they were originally found or caught.
“If you take them away, it will create other issues like unwanted pests, snakes or monkeys in the area,” she said.
“My veterinary clinic once lost about RM3,000 worth of kibbles due to rats after the dogs in the area were taken away.
“I think it is okay to leave two or three on one street.
“Removing all strays from an area could cause a vacuum, encouraging the migration of dogs from other areas,” she highlighted.
No culling of strays
Meanwhile, Filberts’ Foundation for Furry Friends (F5) president Dr Namita Gill wants the “no kill” handling of stray dogs to continue.
Dr Namita said dogs, including strays, were categorised as companion animals and not pests.
“Leaving dogs undisturbed is a compassionate alternative to culling,” she said.
“Neutered dogs that are cared for, vaccinated and fed pose little harm. The killing must be halted.
“It is time to transform Malaysia’s animal pounds into humane facilities.
Animal welfare NGO are calling for transparency in matters related to stray dogs.
“Demand immediate public access during office hours, guaranteeing hygiene, proper feeding, mandatory vaccinations, quarantine and fair, standardised adoption fees.”
Dr Namita said the government needed to do better in the handling of stray dogs.
“Civilised nations don’t kill dogs. Euthanasia is a last resort by veterinarians for well-treated, rehabilitated animals,” she said.
Meanwhile, Soong said Ipoh City Council’s three-day period to claim captured dogs before they were euthanised was too short.
He said many people would have to scramble to look for funds to free the dogs at a cost of RM250 per animal.
State’s response
When contacted, Ng said the reclaim fee was not intended as a punishment to NGOs and dog lovers or as a revenue-generating mechanism, as claimed.
She said the city council had, in the past, agreed that the fee would be on a case-by-case basis when it concerned releasing captured strays to NGOs or cooperating parties.
“However, the primary concern remains, whereby dogs must be properly rehomed and not released in the same area.
“Returning dogs to their original location simply repeats the cycle that led to public complaints and enforcement action in the first place,” she explained.
“If NGOs or individuals are able to commit to proper rehoming plans – at shelters or through adoption – we are open to reconsidering the reclaim fee on a discretionary basis,” she added.
On the three-day reclaim period, Ng said this was for strays.
“For dogs with tags or identifiable signs, they will be given seven days,” she said.
“We understand the concern that three days may be too short, especially when weekends or fundraising efforts are involved.
“These timeframes are in place due to pound capacity and operational limitations.
“Nevertheless, we encourage affected people or groups to reach out to the city council directly.
“We are open to making case-by-case accommodations, especially when clear intentions and plans are communicated.”
Ng said prevention and education were key to addressing
some of the issues related to pet ownership.
“Following our discussion with Friends of Pawsitive, we are preparing a series of awareness initiatives, including putting up banners at hotspots such as markets and residential areas.
“This is to remind owners not to let their dogs roam unsupervised or off-leash.
“Printed flyers or information sheets can be distributed with every new or renewed dog licence application.
“These are part of our proactive strategy to promote responsible pet ownership,” she added.
On the SOP for euthanising dogs, Ng said all decisions were made by DVS licensed veterinarians, governed by the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
“This law provides clear professional and ethical guidelines for determining whether an animal is aggressive, diseased or in severe condition,” she said.
“Given the existing legal safeguards and professional standards, we do not believe it is necessary or appropriate to require additional external witnesses for each case.
“We will, however, continue to communicate with DVS to ensure humane and accountable practices remain the standard.”
Ng said management of strays was a shared responsibility.
“It requires cooperation between enforcement bodies, civil society, and the community.
“Only through such collaboration can we balance public safety, animal welfare, and effective governance,” she emphasised.
