SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government's decision to check the stray dog problem in Malay majority areas will not lead to widespread culling in these areas, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Mentri Besar said authorities would house the strays caught first and allow them to be adopted before destroying those left behind after a certain period.
"We will follow the rules already in place. It does not mean we will go on a shooting spree or poison them," he told reporters after presenting outstanding academic awards to schools and students who did well in the recent SPM examination.
Aminuddin said relevant agencies would only consider killing dogs that are aggressive, pose a danger to and have bitten humans.
"Even that will be in line with the law. We will not be trigger-happy," he said.
Aminuddin added that some people were opposing the move.
He said he often received news of people bitten by stray dogs.
"Some victims, especially younger ones, can be left scarred for life," he said.
On April 30, the Negri Sembilan state assembly unanimously agreed to cull stray dogs in predominantly Malay residential areas.
Aminuddin said the overpopulation of stray dogs had disrupted residents' daily activities.
On May 9, several hundred people held a peaceful gathering in front of Wisma Negri to protest the decision.
The gathering, organised by a group representing 40 animal welfare groups from around the country, aimed fro a reversal of the decision and submitted a memorandum and a petition signed by more than 5,000 people.
Aminuddin said the Seremban City Council had also allocated a substantial amount of funds to animal groups to help them manage strays but this has not addressed the issue.
"After the TNR (trap-neuter-release) process is done, strays are released back in the same area.
"This has not resolved the problem as there are thousands of strays and they have become a big problem in predominantly Malay areas," he said.
Aminuddin said he would be more than happy if animal welfare groups could assist and ensure captured dogs never return to where they were caught.
He also said the groups should know that the directive only covers Malay majority areas.
