Blackie, our oldest dog, passed away on Wednesday, 21st September 2011, in the morning at 9.10 am after a week-long illness, at the age of 17 years, 5 1/2 months. We were hoping she would live to see her 18th birthday.
Blackie had a thick, glossy, black coat of fur and was tall and slim. It was amazing but she looked sweeter as she grew older.
She was the eldest daughter of Cindy. There were 5 other siblings.
Blackie was a brave dog, who stood her ground in any fight. She had a terrific sense of smell. Memories of her barking at any new things brought home are still fresh in our minds.
Blackie, our old friend, we miss you, and will always love and remember you.
BLACKIE PASSED AWAY ON 21ST SEPTEMBER 2011
BABY
Baby, passed away recently on Saturday, 20th February 2010, at 8.05 pm, just 47 days short of what would have been her 16th birthday.
PATCH
Patch was part of a group of dogs we befriended and fed in 1998. Patch's partner was a lovely, timid, brown dog, who had just given birth. Her nickname was "Mummy Dog". There were two of her pups, a black, chubby, cute, loving and playful girl, Bernie and a black, shy, timid, sickly boy, Billy. There were two other dogs, a big, brown, brave, friendly and loving dog, Sam, and his partner, Samantha, a beautiful, loving, brown girl.
Barely a few months later on 20th August, 1998, when I went to feed them, the dog-catchers came. I was feeding Sam and Patch, when suddenly there was a commotion, and Patch dashed off to where "Mummy Dog" was. They had already looped Billy's mother around her neck and were dragging her to a van. She was struggling and wailing. It was a most heart-wrenching and pitiful sight. I tried to intervene but to no avail. I scolded the cruel bastards, and managed to block their path thus enabling Patch and Sam to escape.
Over the next week, we immediately made arrangements and took home Sam, Samantha, Bernie and Billy. Patch refused to follow. We spent the next month feeding Patch in the middle of the night. On one occasion we left Sam at home, but he escaped and even managed to find us about 2km away where we were feeding Patch.
We decided to take Sam with us after that. It was with Sam's help that we managed to get Patch to follow. Patch was a big, loyal, loving, playful but shy boy.
Bernie died in 2000 of distemper. She was sick for quite some time and really suffered. The vet could not save her. In 2004, Sam died suddenly when he ingested some poisonous material. On 30th August 2007, Samantha and another beautiful, shy, loving dog, Blackie-M, mother of Denise and Nicky, died after being bitten by a cobra.
Patch died after a long illness on 24th March 2009.
BLACKIE IS 16 YEARS OLD TODAY (8TH APRIL 2010)
Blackie is 16 years old today. Her sister, Baby, passed away recently on 20th February, 2010.
Blackie's mother was Cindy. Her other siblings were Bambi, Brownie, Brucie and a still-born puppy.
OUR GOLDEN PRINCESS - KID
Kid, a beautiful Poomeranian-Spitz mixed, left us at 9.53pm on Sunday, November 16, 2008. She was about 11 years old. She was a very clean, disciplined, brave, independent dog, who loved to play with puppies and us, and never made noise unnecessarily. She never caused any fight, but was never intimidated by larger dogs.
MALAYSIA: DOGS CAUGHT ARE STARVED, TORTURED, SUFFOCATED & KILLED
From "Letters", "Malaysiakini"
Parimalawani Muthiah May 8, 08 4:15pm
Put a stop to madcap dog-catching antics
I refer to the letter Urgent need for dog-pounds.
Personally I am sick to the stomach and fed-up with the antics of these animals in the guise of human beings who feel nothing when subjugating dogs to much suffering and pain.
I have also been told by Klang municipal council workers that caught dogs are kept in a 'caged-up' lorry without food or water from the time they are captured until they are cruelly executed.
There was also an occasion in Telok Panglima Garang, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Kuala Langat District Council, when I confronted a group of dog catchers trying to steal two dogs tied-up in someone's backyard.
The men, who were traveling in a council vehicle accompanied by two council officers, were themselves rounded-up to go on the dog-catching spree.
Some of them looked like drug addicts and alcoholics and had no qualms about trespassing into private property to steal the two dogs.
Upon confrontation, the officers quickly apologised and sped off with their sorry bunch of canine bounty hunters.
And of course Leigh's mention of the MPAJ also brings to mind JAD Enterprise which was engaged by the council to round-up stray dogs some years ago.
Many of the dogs which were caught by the canine bounty hunting company had suffocated to death after being locked-up in a van.
All these unfortunate incidents as well as the cruelty shown by local councils towards dogs arise because some people believe that they score heavenly points whenever they torture and put a dog to death.
I hope that the new Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor would put an immediate stop to the cruel madcap dog catching antics practiced by the local councils in the state.
DOGS CAUGHT BY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL WORKERS IN MALAYSIA ARE ILL-TREATED & KILLED
From "Letters", "Malaysiakini"
Leigh Chen Siew Kuan May 5, 08 3:07pm
Urgent need for dog-pounds
Jojo is a black and tan female dog who loves to climb over her owner’s wall and hide under the concrete drain slabs in the alley. On April 10, between 12 noon to 1pm, she was spotted by Ampang Municipal Council (MPAJ) dogcatchers who went on to noose her. As her owner wasn’t in, a neighbour informed them that Jojo is owned.
Leigh Chen Siew Kuan May 5, 08 3:07pm
Urgent need for dog-pounds
Jojo is a black and tan female dog who loves to climb over her owner’s wall and hide under the concrete drain slabs in the alley. On April 10, between 12 noon to 1pm, she was spotted by Ampang Municipal Council (MPAJ) dogcatchers who went on to noose her. As her owner wasn’t in, a neighbour informed them that Jojo is owned.
The dogcatchers told the neighbour they were acting on a ‘complaint’ about Jojo. The complaint wasn’t defined in detail. Jojo who is so elusive and petrified of humans?
That evening her owner came back and couldn’t find Jojo. The next day we still didn’t see her. On behalf of her owner, my friend rang up Rizal from Bahagian Kesihatan who confirmed he was in charge of yesterday’s dog-catching operations. Here comes the twist.
He remembered Jojo but didn’t noose her because she escaped. When my friend insisted she wanted to check out the dogs caught yesterday, he tersely informed her all the dogs were brought to Klang yesterday evening itself ‘untuk dibunuh’ following his superior’s orders. We, the people, are not allowed to go there. He coldly added, ‘Lagipun, tu semua anjing kurap dan liar!’
His superior, the council’s deputy environmental health officer, informed a journalist last year that the setting up of a dog pound had been delayed due to the high costs involved which he put at RM50,000 – RM60,000. Is MPAJ eradicating strays in this nauseating and vulgar approach as a humane service to community? No holding period or humane considerations would be granted to these hapless and homeless animals? How do we go about claiming pets, which have been mistaken for strays and caught by municipalities without pounds?
Municipal councils such as Kajang and Klang do not have dog-pounds. Where are the caught animals kept if they are unable to killed right away? I have heard of frightful and violent stories about councils and their dog-catching contractors. Some dogcatchers make a trip to the council to claim money for their catch only when the van is filled up with dogs. As it might take days or weeks for the van to be filled up, dogs caught earlier would have died of hunger, thirst, fights and puppies trampled to death. Fierce dogs have been bashed to death with a stick.
Another question follows. Is Rizal a qualified animal medical officer to make out clearly at one sweeping glance between mangy and non-mangy dogs? Would he have known if a particular owned mangy dog was undergoing skin treatment and just happened to stroll out for a while? Is he experienced enough to recognise if an animal is a stray or a house pet? A very relevant question: how are the ‘semua anjing kurap dan liar’ put down? Is this mass euthanasia supervised by a qualified animal medical officer?
The bottom line is humans caused the existence of strays through their irresponsible pet- ownership. It is in short the human wrongs that need managing. These strays, cats or dogs, (through no fault of their own) admittedly do have an adverse impact on the public health, safety, welfare and environment. Mandatory sterilisation is the most effective, economical, humane and ethical solution to the problem of unwanted cats and dogs lacking permanent homes. It arrests unwanted births too. This will seek to promote the health, safety, welfare and environment of the people considerably.
Till today, we are still crazy with worry as Jojo is still missing. Maybe, she went on a one way trip to Klang. To the ‘animal judges and executioners’ of our local municipal councils, I leave you with this quotation by Pierre Troubetzkoy to ponder over: ‘Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by what is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him?’
Animals are mental creatures which have beliefs and desires, memories and expectations; who feel pleasure and pain, experience emotions. Like us.
SLAUGHTER OF COWS FOR RELIGIOUS (MUSLIM) FESTIVAL IN MALAYSIA
Every year, all over the world and here in Malaysia, Muslims slaughter sacrificial animals like cows and goats for their religious festival, known as Hari Raya Aidiladha/Hari Raya Haji/Hari Raya Korban/Qurban.
These poor animals are roped around their necks, dragged, tied up and then their throats are slit while they are still alive. They then lie there dying while the blood drains out of them.
Such gruesome acts, inflicting so much pain, are so primitive and cruel. You can actually see the animals shed tears, looking so sad and pitiful, while their butchers/murderers, the onlookers and those waiting for their meat would be full of excitement and glee, in anticipation of the big feast ahead.
Such slaughter is also carried out for weddings, celebrations and practically any special occasions.
SLAUGHTER OF COWS & GOATS IN MALAYSIAN PARLIAMENT COMPOUND
From "The Sun" newspaper, Malaysia
July 10, 2007
Slaughter of animals in august place riles MPs
KUALA LUMPUR : A decision by backbenchers to slaughter six head of cattle and 10 goats in the compound of Parliament House to celebrate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad's marriage annoyed other MPs.
"I am objecting to this on two grounds. This is Parliament. How can we allow the slaughter of animals in the compound? Should this not be done in an abattoir?" M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) asked Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib just after question time.
"Morever, this slaugher of cattle is sensitive to Hindus. Surely you should have thought about this aspect before allowing it."
Ramli's response was that the animals were slaughtered for the kenduri hosted by the Backbenchers Club (BBC) to celebrate the marriage of Abdullah to Jeanne.
When Kulasegaran said he was aware of the reason but that the slaughter should not be allowed, Ramli said any similar request in the future would be looked at carefully.
"I don't see why there should be any objection to this. This is norm (slaughter animals) whenever there is a kenduri. Therefore, it is not an unusual practice," Ramli said.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) begged to differ. "This is an august place. We use this place for meetings. If next time, the Opposition wants to slaughter other animals then what happens?" she asked.
"Even though it is a norm by BBC, it does not mean it is correct. And it should not be continued."
Fong said non-Muslim MPs are sensitive to the religious beliefs of others that they were "even careful with the type of food they brought into the parliament building".
She said this should be reciprocated.
Ramli brought the discussion to a close by promising that the House would be careful in similar requests in the future.
Acting BNBBC chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) told reporters in the lobby of the Dewan Rakyat that the backbenchers decided on the kenduri after he was given the go-ahead by the parliament administration.
"We only did it after the House gave us permission. The place was decided by the parliament," he said.
"Where else are we supposed to do it anyway? We are members of Parliament, we are entitled to do it here," he declared.
A Hindu BNBBC committee member S.K.Devamany (BN-Cameron Highlands), met in the lobby said he did not know of the planned slaughter.
"I was not at the meeting when it was decided. By the time I came to know of it. All the arrangements were put in place."
Devamany vowed to ensure that in future it will not happen again.
LOYAL DOG STAYED WITH ELDERLY OWNER AS FLOOD WATERS ROSE AND BARKED UNTIL HELP ARRIVED
From "News, Nation", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Thursday April 17, 2008
Dog saves woman from watery death
SEREMBAN: A dog seeing that its elderly owner was in danger of drowning, when flash floods struck Kampung Ulu Temiang yesterday, did the only thing it could do. It didn't stop barking until help came along.
The woman, who suffers from chronic asthma, was on the verge of drowning in her wooden house, as flood waters kept rising steadily, but her loyal pet refused to leave her side.
However, most of her neighbours had left their half-submerged houses to seek shelter from the floods, resulting from a two-hour downpour which began at 2.30pm, and did not hear the canine's frantic call for help.
The dog's desperate barking eventually alerted a team of fire and rescue personnel, who aided by some neighbours, went to the house and found the woman, in her 60s, shivering and helpless, barely able to keep her head above the rising water level.
Bernama learnt that it was only when the firemen rescued the woman that her faithful dog left her side and swam to safety, proving that dogs are indeed man’s, or in this case, a woman’s best friend.
Thursday April 17, 2008
Dog saves woman from watery death
SEREMBAN: A dog seeing that its elderly owner was in danger of drowning, when flash floods struck Kampung Ulu Temiang yesterday, did the only thing it could do. It didn't stop barking until help came along.
The woman, who suffers from chronic asthma, was on the verge of drowning in her wooden house, as flood waters kept rising steadily, but her loyal pet refused to leave her side.
However, most of her neighbours had left their half-submerged houses to seek shelter from the floods, resulting from a two-hour downpour which began at 2.30pm, and did not hear the canine's frantic call for help.
The dog's desperate barking eventually alerted a team of fire and rescue personnel, who aided by some neighbours, went to the house and found the woman, in her 60s, shivering and helpless, barely able to keep her head above the rising water level.
Bernama learnt that it was only when the firemen rescued the woman that her faithful dog left her side and swam to safety, proving that dogs are indeed man’s, or in this case, a woman’s best friend.
POISONING OF HOMELESS DOGS BY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL WORKERS IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
From "Metro, Central", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Saturday April 26, 2008
By WANI MUTHIAH
Strays being poisoned
A NURSING home manager in Old Klang Road has alleged that certain quarters are on a dog-poisoning spree in the city.
Saturday April 26, 2008
By WANI MUTHIAH
Strays being poisoned
A NURSING home manager in Old Klang Road has alleged that certain quarters are on a dog-poisoning spree in the city.
Prakash Singam claimed that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) dog-catching unit might be behind this.
According to the 33-year-old, he first spotted food being thrown out to dogs from a DBKL van cruising around his neighbourhood early this year.
“There were three men in the van, including the driver, and they were throwing food from the vehicle’s side door,” said Prakash.
He said the stray dogs in the area immediately rushed towards the food and began eating them.
Realising that something was amiss, Prakash said he rushed towards the dogs and shooed them away from the food but some of the dogs had already started eating the food by then.
“A dog, which ate the most began foaming at the mouth and became disoriented,’’ said Prakash, adding that he didn’t see the dog again after that.
He said he also found a dead dog in a monsoon drain near his home a day after the incident.
But his real nightmare took place last week when his two dogs, Leia and Dopey, were taken ill.
“In the evenings we usually let them out for a while. One evening they returned home foaming at the mouths,” he said.
He said both his dogs were licensed and never ventured far when let out and usually just hung around the front gate.
“Dopey was not so serious and we managed to nurse him back to health but Leia had to be treated at a veterinary clinic for about a week,’’ said Prakash.
He added there were burn marks inside her throat and the veterinarian who treated Leia said the dog had suffered a bad case of pesticide poisoning.
Meanwhile, SPCA chairman Christine Chin said a volunteer pet rescuer had also informed her that some people had also seen several men throwing chicken heads to dogs in the Jalan Kuching vicinity from a DBKL van.
Apparently after consuming the food, the dogs started foaming at the mouth and later died.
When contacted Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said it was hard to believe that DBKL was behind the poisoning spree.
“I strongly believe the DBKL’s dog- catching unit will not resort to such an inhumane and cruel method of countering the problem of stray dogs,’’ said Saravanan.
However, he added that he would look into the matter as soon as possible.
ENDANGERED SUN BEAR IN MALAYSIA CAGED & NEGLECTED FOR MONTHS DIES
From "Nation", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Wednesday April 9, 2008
BY STEPHEN THEN
BY STEPHEN THEN
Endangered sun bear dies
MIRI: An endangered sun bear died from neglect after it was locked up for months inside a small iron cage and used as a showpiece to attract visitors in a private farm on the Miri-Bintulu Second Coastal Highway.
It died after its owner hid it inside a forest away from public view after a group of expatriates, disgusted with the way the creature was treated, complained to the owner and the authorities.
“The sun bear was kept continuously inside the cage where it died recently,” said a worker at the farm, located at Jalan Bakam, next to the National Service Training Camp.
Miri Wildlife Department enforcement chief Abang Arabi Abang Imran said yesterday the owner was unable to give a satisfactory explanation on the sun bear which was missing from the farm.
Asked why it took six months for his department to investigate this case after the first complaints were lodged, Arabi said: “I told my enforcement people to handle the case immediately. I must find out why the bear was not rescued.”
The Star highlighted this case last Aug 11 after South African expatriate Tweet Gainsborough, whose husband was working for an oil and gas giant here in Miri, alerted the newspaper.
The conditions enraged expatriates and animal lovers who visited the farm located near Sungai Rait in the southern part of Miri district on the way to Bintulu, 30km from Miri City.
The non-aggressive sun bear is the smallest in the bear family and is classified as an endangered and protected species.
Gainsborough lodged many complaints with the farm manager, the Miri Wildlife Department, the Miri City Council and the Sarawak Forestry Department.
Arabi confirmed that the private farm did not have a permit to keep the animal.
PET CEMETERY IN MALAYSIA
From "Metro Central", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Wednesday April 9, 2008
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
Resting place for beloved pets
THE death of a pet can leave a deep void and create a great amount of sorrow for some. What you’re left with are memories of precious moments spent with them.
Coming to terms with the loss is not an easy process, but it can be managed if you choose to channel your grief through a unique avenue – creating a special shrine in honour of your treasured buddy. This could be done at the first ever Pet Memorial Garden located within the Nirvana Memorial Park (NMP).
Businesswoman S.H. Chia’s dog, a Shih Tzu, died last November and she was one of the first to book a plot for her pet she fondly calls JI, short for John Iris.
There are 200 plots and so far 20 have been booked since the Pet Memorial Garden was launched last year.
Chia was at the NMP with her two-year-old John Gillian or JG, also a Shih Tzu, to pay homage to elder brother JI.
“Both are from the same family. I miss my JI so much. I took the opportunity during the Qing Ming festival to pay my respects as even pets deserve them,” said Chia.
She spent RM4,800 for the funeral service when JI died.
“It was a huge loss like losing a member of the family. It didn’t want to bury him just about anywhere as I wanted him to be comfortable. This memorial centre has given me an opportunity to preserve the memory of my JI in a more dignified way,” she said.
The Pet Memorial Garden is a monument within the NMP, built to showcase the bond between people and their pets.
Just like a funeral service for a person, the pet gets the same exclusive service where the owner can witness the last rites of their beloved pet.
The package provides door-to-door service but is restricted within a 35km radius from the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Owners could also erect tombstones with special inscriptions and have the burial plot landscaped to their liking.
When a pet dies, a private gathering featuring a memorial service would be conducted with loved ones and close friends to bid the final farewell.
Wednesday April 9, 2008
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
Resting place for beloved pets
THE death of a pet can leave a deep void and create a great amount of sorrow for some. What you’re left with are memories of precious moments spent with them.
Coming to terms with the loss is not an easy process, but it can be managed if you choose to channel your grief through a unique avenue – creating a special shrine in honour of your treasured buddy. This could be done at the first ever Pet Memorial Garden located within the Nirvana Memorial Park (NMP).
Businesswoman S.H. Chia’s dog, a Shih Tzu, died last November and she was one of the first to book a plot for her pet she fondly calls JI, short for John Iris.
There are 200 plots and so far 20 have been booked since the Pet Memorial Garden was launched last year.
Chia was at the NMP with her two-year-old John Gillian or JG, also a Shih Tzu, to pay homage to elder brother JI.
“Both are from the same family. I miss my JI so much. I took the opportunity during the Qing Ming festival to pay my respects as even pets deserve them,” said Chia.
She spent RM4,800 for the funeral service when JI died.
“It was a huge loss like losing a member of the family. It didn’t want to bury him just about anywhere as I wanted him to be comfortable. This memorial centre has given me an opportunity to preserve the memory of my JI in a more dignified way,” she said.
The Pet Memorial Garden is a monument within the NMP, built to showcase the bond between people and their pets.
Just like a funeral service for a person, the pet gets the same exclusive service where the owner can witness the last rites of their beloved pet.
The package provides door-to-door service but is restricted within a 35km radius from the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Owners could also erect tombstones with special inscriptions and have the burial plot landscaped to their liking.
When a pet dies, a private gathering featuring a memorial service would be conducted with loved ones and close friends to bid the final farewell.
CRUELTY TO DOGS IN MALAYSIA
From "International Herald Tribune, Asia - Pacific"
"The Associated Press" article
Published: September 14, 2007
Malaysian town calls off controversial dog-catching competition after protests
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A Malaysian town called off a dog-catching competition to rid the streets of strays following criticism from animal activists, an official said Friday.
Razif Zainol Abidin, an official of the Selayang Municipal Council, said it decided to stop the contest after activists — with dogs in tow — protested what they said was an inhumane and distasteful competition.
"We withdrew the competition this morning," Razif told The Associated Press. "We won't stop catching the dogs, but we will ask the NGOs to help us do it in a proper way."
Selayang town in central Selangor state launched the competition last week to alleviate the problem of strays, promising residents 20 ringgit (US$5.70; €4.20) for each dog delivered.
The council also planned to spend a total of 39,000 ringgit (US$11,120; €8,180) to build playgrounds or other projects for community associations that caught at least 150 dogs within six months.
Animal activists strongly condemned the plan as ineffective, and warned people might use violent tactics that could hurt the dogs, or be bitten while trying to catch them.
Razif said no dogs had been caught under the program.
Malaysia, a mostly Muslim country, has strict laws on dog ownership. Dogs are considered unclean in Islam, and most owners are from the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.
"The Associated Press" article
Published: September 14, 2007
Malaysian town calls off controversial dog-catching competition after protests
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A Malaysian town called off a dog-catching competition to rid the streets of strays following criticism from animal activists, an official said Friday.
Razif Zainol Abidin, an official of the Selayang Municipal Council, said it decided to stop the contest after activists — with dogs in tow — protested what they said was an inhumane and distasteful competition.
"We withdrew the competition this morning," Razif told The Associated Press. "We won't stop catching the dogs, but we will ask the NGOs to help us do it in a proper way."
Selayang town in central Selangor state launched the competition last week to alleviate the problem of strays, promising residents 20 ringgit (US$5.70; €4.20) for each dog delivered.
The council also planned to spend a total of 39,000 ringgit (US$11,120; €8,180) to build playgrounds or other projects for community associations that caught at least 150 dogs within six months.
Animal activists strongly condemned the plan as ineffective, and warned people might use violent tactics that could hurt the dogs, or be bitten while trying to catch them.
Razif said no dogs had been caught under the program.
Malaysia, a mostly Muslim country, has strict laws on dog ownership. Dogs are considered unclean in Islam, and most owners are from the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.
EXTREME CRUELTY TO COWS, PIGS & POULTRY IN U.S.A.
Please watch the two videos below our profile on the right side bar and you may wish to consider not consuming pork, beef, chicken, and milk after watching the extreme cruelty inflicted on these poor animals.
CRUELTY TO DOGS IN MALAYSIA
From "Metro Central", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Wednesday September 12, 2007
Stop this disgusting contest!
I read with horror an advertisement on the Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS’s) website and reports in the newspapers about a Dog Catching Competition where lucrative prize money was being offered to individuals who could catch the most dogs!
The council is offering RM15,000 to the top dog catcher (with 150 dogs or more in a period of six months), and for those who do not make the top three prizes, it is offering RM20 per dog. This is really disgusting!
How could the council even come up with such an idea? The competition would only encourage more cruelty towards these helpless animals. (Bear in mind that these stray dogs that are on the streets are due to our own negligence.)
What shocked me even more was the fact that the council had openly stated that it would not be held responsible for any injury or damage caused by the individuals to the general public or themselves in their attempts to catch these stray dogs.
The only requirement was that dogs that are caught be brought in alive.
This, in my opinion, would only encourage the would-be dog catchers to physically harm the dogs prior to taking them in to the council. The council does not seem to care for the welfare of the dogs that are brought in, as there was no statement anywhere in its advertisement stating that the dogs that are caught must be caught in a humane manner.
Moreover, I also believe that this competition would actually encourage people who are out to make easy money to steal dogs!
I think that the actions of the MPS in organising such a competition are not just irresponsible, but downright barbaric.
I would like to plead to the government and the authorities to look into this matter and stop this campaign immediately. Malaysia should be a nation that cares for all living creatures, and I believe that all religions teach us to be kind to all of God’s creatures.
There are other ways and means to curb the stray population in this country. Several groups and organi-sations, like the SPCA and PAWS, are working hard to educate the public via spay and neuter campaigns.
If we let the MPS get away with its barbaric dog catching competition, we are only reinforcing in the people the belief that cruelty is an acceptable way of life.
And, I sincerely believe that Malaysians do not want to be seen by the world as a nation that sanctions cruelty to animals.
I also urge all individuals not to take part in the competition in order to preserve our integrity as decent human beings.
YVONNE DENG
Selayang
Wednesday September 12, 2007
Stop this disgusting contest!
I read with horror an advertisement on the Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS’s) website and reports in the newspapers about a Dog Catching Competition where lucrative prize money was being offered to individuals who could catch the most dogs!
The council is offering RM15,000 to the top dog catcher (with 150 dogs or more in a period of six months), and for those who do not make the top three prizes, it is offering RM20 per dog. This is really disgusting!
How could the council even come up with such an idea? The competition would only encourage more cruelty towards these helpless animals. (Bear in mind that these stray dogs that are on the streets are due to our own negligence.)
What shocked me even more was the fact that the council had openly stated that it would not be held responsible for any injury or damage caused by the individuals to the general public or themselves in their attempts to catch these stray dogs.
The only requirement was that dogs that are caught be brought in alive.
This, in my opinion, would only encourage the would-be dog catchers to physically harm the dogs prior to taking them in to the council. The council does not seem to care for the welfare of the dogs that are brought in, as there was no statement anywhere in its advertisement stating that the dogs that are caught must be caught in a humane manner.
Moreover, I also believe that this competition would actually encourage people who are out to make easy money to steal dogs!
I think that the actions of the MPS in organising such a competition are not just irresponsible, but downright barbaric.
I would like to plead to the government and the authorities to look into this matter and stop this campaign immediately. Malaysia should be a nation that cares for all living creatures, and I believe that all religions teach us to be kind to all of God’s creatures.
There are other ways and means to curb the stray population in this country. Several groups and organi-sations, like the SPCA and PAWS, are working hard to educate the public via spay and neuter campaigns.
If we let the MPS get away with its barbaric dog catching competition, we are only reinforcing in the people the belief that cruelty is an acceptable way of life.
And, I sincerely believe that Malaysians do not want to be seen by the world as a nation that sanctions cruelty to animals.
I also urge all individuals not to take part in the competition in order to preserve our integrity as decent human beings.
YVONNE DENG
Selayang
EXPORT OF MONKEYS FROM MALAYSIA
From "Nation", "The Star" newspaper, Malaysia
Saturday September 1, 2007
Reimpose export ban on macaque, urges animal rights groups
By HILARY CHIEW
KUALA LUMPUR: Animal rights groups have opposed Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid’s decision to lift the 23-year-old export ban on the long-tailed macaque.
The groups come under the umbrella body, the Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare
Society (Roar). President N. Surendran said lifting the ban was tantamount to condemning the monkeys to an insufferable fate.
“It is shocking that the authorities themselves are committing the offence. The minister is aware that the monkeys are used as pets and for food and medical (testing) purposes.
“In the food trade, the monkeys have their skulls pried open while alive, so diners can eat their brains,” Surendran claimed.
Under Section 92(f) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, anyone who “wilfully does or wilfully omits to do anything which in any way causes any unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to any wild animal or wild bird” can be fined up to RM5,000, or sentenced to up to three years in jail.
On Aug 17, Azmi announced that the ban had been lifted, and now the group is demanding that the ban be reimposed.
Surendran also questioned the minister’s claim that sterilisation efforts to control the macaque population have failed, hence justifying the trading of this protected species.
“As far as we know, there has been no serious sterilisation programme of the long-tailed macaque. Even if it was true that some displaced monkeys have attacked urbanites, exporting them is not the solution.”
Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals chairman Christine Chin called for better management of the human-animal conflict caused by man encroaching on the habitat of the macaques.
She also urged the authorities to look into creating sanctuaries for wildlife to achieve sustainable development.
Saturday September 1, 2007
Reimpose export ban on macaque, urges animal rights groups
By HILARY CHIEW
KUALA LUMPUR: Animal rights groups have opposed Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid’s decision to lift the 23-year-old export ban on the long-tailed macaque.
The groups come under the umbrella body, the Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare
Society (Roar). President N. Surendran said lifting the ban was tantamount to condemning the monkeys to an insufferable fate.
“It is shocking that the authorities themselves are committing the offence. The minister is aware that the monkeys are used as pets and for food and medical (testing) purposes.
“In the food trade, the monkeys have their skulls pried open while alive, so diners can eat their brains,” Surendran claimed.
Under Section 92(f) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, anyone who “wilfully does or wilfully omits to do anything which in any way causes any unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to any wild animal or wild bird” can be fined up to RM5,000, or sentenced to up to three years in jail.
On Aug 17, Azmi announced that the ban had been lifted, and now the group is demanding that the ban be reimposed.
Surendran also questioned the minister’s claim that sterilisation efforts to control the macaque population have failed, hence justifying the trading of this protected species.
“As far as we know, there has been no serious sterilisation programme of the long-tailed macaque. Even if it was true that some displaced monkeys have attacked urbanites, exporting them is not the solution.”
Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals chairman Christine Chin called for better management of the human-animal conflict caused by man encroaching on the habitat of the macaques.
She also urged the authorities to look into creating sanctuaries for wildlife to achieve sustainable development.
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