SEREMBAN: An animal rescue group here is appealing to the state government to halt plans to cull stray dogs in predominantly Malay residential areas in Negri Sembilan.
Furrykids Safehaven president Jeskiran Kaur said that as an animal welfare organisation which has been actively rescuing, neutering, rehabilitating and relocating stray animals based on community concerns and public complaints, it found the plan inhumane, counterproductive and ethically unjustifiable.
She said culling the dogs was not the solution to the problem, as they were a result of human negligence and deserved to be treated with compassion.
Furrykids Safehaven currently has some 2,000 stray dogs at its shelter near here.
"We are deeply concerned and disappointed with the plan.
"The indiscriminate killing of these animals not only undermines efforts we had put into reducing stray populations through the trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and community education but also sends a dangerous message that cruelty is an acceptable form of control," she said.
Jeskiran said that although the need to address public health and safety was important, culling was not a sustainable solution.
Scientific evidence and the experiences of progressive nations and cities have proven that TNR, adoption programmes and public education were far more effective in the long term.
"Furrykids Safehaven wants the state government to engage with animal welfare NGOs and veterinary professionals to develop a humane and effective stray management policy.
"The authorities should also support existing TNR programmes with funding, resources, and logistical collaboration," she said, adding that more efforts should be taken to educate the public on responsible pet ownership, sterilisation, and community cooperation.
Earlier on Wednesday (April 30), the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly had unanimously agreed that culling stray dogs in predominantly Malay residential areas should be implemented to address issues of disturbance and safety.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun stated that the overpopulation of stray dogs has disrupted residents' daily activities. The issue has been repeatedly raised during state assembly sittings, giving the impression that the state government has taken no action to address it.
Aminuddin said that although efforts to neuter stray dogs are ongoing, the situation in Malay areas seems increasingly unmanageable.
Jeskiran said the NGO was more than willing to work with local authorities to design and implement humane strategies.
"Let us not resort to violence against the voiceless. Let us choose compassion, responsibility, and progress.
"We speak not only for ourselves but for the thousands of innocent lives whose voices are never heard," she added.
