Be more compassionate, encourage adoption, neutering for stray dogs, says Wanita MCA

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA fully supports the statement by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who urged the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to halt its “catch-and-destroy” stray dog plan scheduled for April 22 to 24.

Rather than culling, Her Royal Highness offered several recommendations such as neutering, which can assist in reducing the stray population, or requiring housing developers to build shelters.

"Local authorities in Selangor and throughout the nation could cooperate with existing animal shelters or NGOs to deploy trap-neuter-release-manage programmes to reduce the number of street animals," Wanita MCA national deputy chairman Tee Hooi Ling said in a statement Tuesday (April 2).

Tee, who is also Selangor Wanita MCA chairman, also said that local authorities could also collaborate to encourage adoption programmes.

"It is hoped that not only MBSA and other local authorities in Selangor, but also those in other states, will adopt the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor's advice to encourage a more compassionate society," she said.

Wanita MCA is also concerned over the possibility of over-zealousness by MBSA and its volunteers as its “stray-hunt” operation may morph into pseudo-vigilantism to simply nab any dogs, including trespassing private residences to loop any collared pets with a licence.

Tee also said more effort should be made to overcome the rodent infestation in the state.

"All local authorities should aim for a zero-rodent population for cleanliness to lessen the impact on public health, rather than be dogged by canines," she said.

The full text of the statement can be read below:

WANITA MCA fully supports the caution by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin who urged the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to halt its “catch-and-destroy” stray dog plan scheduled for April 22 to 24.

Rather than culling 4-pawed animals, Her Royal Highness offered several recommendations such as neutering, which can assist in reducing the stray population, or to require housing developers to construct animal shelters.

Local authorities in Selangor and throughout the nation could also cooperate with existing animal shelters or NGOs to deploy trap-neuter-release-manage programmes to reduce the number of street animals.

Similarly, they could also collaborate to encourage adoption programmes where the venue hosts could be the animal shelters, outdoor compounds belonging to the local authorities or shopping malls.

It is hoped that not only MBSA or other local authorities in Selangor, but in other states too, will adopt the advice by the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor to encourage a more compassionate society.

Let us not forget how the adage "man’s best friend" proved precise when their sniffing skills were successfully deployed in search and rescue operations at the Batang Kali landslide and the Turkiye earthquake disaster sites.

Wanita MCA is also concerned over the possibility of over-zealousness by MBSA and its volunteers where its “dog-hunt” operation may morph into a witch-hunt or pseudo-vigilantism to simply nab any dogs, including trespassing private residences to loop any collared pets with a licence.

Rather than embark on a RM30-per-dog-hunted exercise, more effort should be made to overcome the rodent infestation in the state, thereby enhancing cleanliness.

The defecation and urine or any contact with these pests can lead to serious public health and hygiene issues such as food contamination, infection, disease spread and even fatalities.

In 2021, Selangor saw 226 cases of leptospirosis with 10 deaths while from January to April 24, 2022, there were 128 confirmed cases with one death reported.

These scurrying mammals have various ways to sneak into a building – through drain pipes, loading areas and even the front door if left ajar.

The rats are also in the ceilings of various buildings and come out when the lights are turned off.

Hence, more attention needs to be given to tackle the rodent menace. All local authorities should aim for a zero-rodent population for cleanliness and to lessen the impact on public health, rather than create an enemy or be dogged by canines.

TEE HOOI LING

Selangor Wanita MCA Chairman

Wanita MCA national Deputy Chairman