Requirement part of established procedure, MPAJ clarifies
THOSE seeking to claim stray dogs captured by local authorities must first settle the required compounds and notices in accordance with the existing by-laws.
The dogs must also be licensed and can only be released to registered owners, said Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari (pic).
He said the requirements were part of an established procedure that applied whenever captured dogs were claimed by owners or individuals seeking to take responsibility for them.
“To release the dogs, notices and compounds are issued according to the provisions established under the by-laws,” he said after chairing the council’s full board meeting at Menara MPAJ in Pandan Indah yesterday.
Hasrolnizam said MPAJ was obligated to act on complaints involving stray dogs that caused disturbance to the public.
He said this included animals abandoned by their owners as well as dogs without formal owners, but who were regularly fed by the public and animal welfare groups.
Under the Dog Licensing and Dog Breeding House By-Laws (MPAJ) 2007, captured dogs are kept for seven days to allow owners or claimants to come forward.
During this period, food and shelter are provided.
Hasrolnizam was responding to reports claiming that MPAJ was charging RM5,000 to claim several stray dogs captured in Ukay Perdana.
Elaborating, he said MPAJ received a complaint on June 10 regarding stray dogs.
The council monitored the location on June 12 before carrying out an operation that resulted in five stray dogs being captured and taken to a pound in Hulu Langat.
“Following the operation, MPAJ received calls from several individuals and a non-governmental organisation seeking to claim the dogs.
“According to the established procedure, any party wishing to claim a captured stray dog must first settle the applicable fines.”
Hasrolnizam said two compounds were imposed for each dog; one for keeping a dog without a licence and another for allowing a dog to roam freely in a public place.
“The offences carry a maximum penalty of RM1,000 each.
“To date, all the dogs have been claimed, with a reduced compound of RM1,250 imposed for all of the five dogs.”
