No need to catch neutered dogs

Photo: Filepic/The Star

I AM writing to respectfully appeal to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and other municipal and city councils in Malaysia to halt the capture of stray dogs that are being managed under the trap- neuter-release-manage (TNRM) programme within Petaling Jaya and beyond. Catching neutered dogs, beyond being ineffective, has deeply disheartened local rescuers and caregivers who have poured their hearts, time, and personal resources into creating a more humane city for both animals and people.

These managed dogs are not random nuisances, they are a part of our neighbourhoods. Many residents recognise them, feed them, and even name them. They have formed bonds not only with each other but with the community at large. When MBPJ captures these dogs, it is not just removing animals from the streets, it is removing trusted presences that communities have grown to love and protect.