View: DG’s bid to prevent animal abuse welcomed

“THE Government will conduct surprise checks on pet shops, animal pounds and clinics, In addition Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin urged local councils to re-negotiate their contracts with dog catchers to ensure that animals caught were treated humanely” (The Star, Nov 26).

This is indeed very much appreciated by animal lovers.

As suggested by him, new laws should indeed be passed to deal with those who abuse animals (wild or domesticated).

I am glad he has taken to task many local councils for their neglect in ensuring that animals are caught in a humane way.

Local councils cannot just blame the people they outsource the work to! They have a moral duty to see that these people carry out their job properly!

As he also pointed out, owners of pets are equally responsible for the large number of strays running around, be it dogs or cats (in some cases exotic animals too).

Owners of pets must have their pets fixed with a micro-chip for recognition by the owner of the pet concerned.

All pet shops or dealers of pet animals must do this each time they sell a pet to the buyer.

Secondly, why not let NGOs interested in the humane treatment of pets be responsible for the work of catching strays?

Pay them what you pay the outsourced company and I am sure they will do a better job.

Let us not be classified as a nation cruel to animals by the international community.

VICTOR CHEW,
Ipoh.

This Comment was taken from: The Star Online: News: Focus 28 November 2008

Article: Report cruelty to animals, residents told

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Central 29 November 2008

Article: Dogs take part in family charity event

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Southeast 3 December 2008

Article: Pampered pooches

LONDON LOG

By CHOI TUCK WO

Even a Great Dane could have bitten off more than it could chew.

It’s not that the gigantic dog is a big softie when it comes to confronting thieves; it can send them scurrying off with their “tails between their legs.”

So, who needs a car alarm if you have a 60kg giant lumbering around? They can be just as effective in scaring off would-be criminals. But if you’re talking of a £250,000 (RM1.4mil) doghouse complete with spa and a 52-inch plasma television, the gentle giant, too, can be a little over-awed by the sheer luxury.

Recent reports about the proposed construction of the world’s most expensive kennel in Britain have literally made a monkey out of the phrase “it’s a dog’s life”. Even by British standards – pooches generally enjoyed a pampered life in Britain compared with their counterparts in other countries – the bespoke structure is simply out of this world.

Who would imagine a dog sleeping on sheepskin-lined, temperature-controlled beds, soothing their aches in a spa or watching canine-friendly programmes on a giant plasma TV? While it’s true that every dog would have its day, the kennel planned for two Great Danes belonging to a female surgeon in Gloucestershire beggared belief. Loving and pampering a dog is one thing. But to splurge that kind of money on a doghouse makes little sense where animal welfare is concerned.

Doesn’t it leave a nasty stench as well as explain why the owner might want all eyes elsewhere, particularly during the economic squeeze which hits the pockets most? In fact, large dogs would probably prefer to live outside, happily sleeping on the porch or verandah than be showered with all kinds of luxuries their minds cannot fathom. And many would love nothing more than to curl up and snooze on animal sofas or beside the fire-place – just to be near their owners.

Surely, our furry friends won’t care two hoots about the plasma TV or the spa, so long as they get all the love and attention from their owner that they can get. And, I’m sure, they would rather spend as much time as possible with their owner inside the house than to be living separately in a kennel.

What a world away all this is from poor families who can’t even afford a decent roof above their heads.

Of course, it’s the surgeon’s money to spend as she sees fit. She may even have her reason for showing her love for the dogs that way. Yet the luxurious doghouse has raised serious questions about whether it is the most appropriate way to keep the pets. For what they really need are not the most expensive beds or the best spas on the planet. Rather, it’s time, love and affection from the owner.

Far from making other dogs and their owners green with envy, the kennel may end up becoming a white elephant if the “occupants” decide to spend more time outside than inside.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Lifestyle 4 December 2008.

Article: Service by Shah Alam council gone to the dogs

I RECEIVED a Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam’s “Notis Pembaharuan Lesen Tahun 2009” in early November, with a reminder that a 20% “Denda/Caj Lewat” (Fine/Late Charge) would be imposed if the licence was renewed after Dec 31.

As in previous years, I paid the licence fee, only to be told that the dog tag was not ready.

As always, I was asked to pay first and phone in January to find out whether the tag was available for collection.

What I cannot understand is why is a small tag ‑ the size of a 50 sen coin ‑ so difficult for MBSA to get ready before the Notice Pembaharuan Lesen is sent out?

As MBSA covers a wide area stretching as far as Sungai Buloh, I wonder whether the people in charge are aware that every year the ratepayers are inconvenienced into making more than one trip to its Licensing Deptartment at Shah Alam just to get a dog tag costing RM10, not taking into account the time and expenses involved in the process.

This is not the first time. It is the same every year. How inefficient can a local authority be.

Since there is a “Denda/Caj Lewat” of 20% levied for late payment, what about a reverse for late delivery of the licence tag?

As an alternative, can’t the tag be sent by registered post?

DISGUSTED,
Shah Alam.

This view was taken from: The Star Online: Focus 30 November 2008.

Article: Dogs dying mysteriously in Penang

Published: Sunday January 11, 2009 MYT 5:06:00 PM

Updated: Sunday January 11, 2009 MYT 7:23:04 PM

By K. KASTURI DEWI

GEORGE TOWN: Dog owners whose pets have died under unusual circumstances have been advised to report the matter to the State Veterinarian Department or the Penang Municipal Council.

State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said reports in Chinese newspapers stated that eight dogs were found dead in Teluk Bahang area last week.

“The carcasses were sent to the Veterinarian Department and they were found to have died due to poisoning.

“Sometimes people take the deaths of their pet dogs for granted but the state is concerned whether these deaths are due to an outbreak or if these pets were being poisoned.

“Then there is a serious breach of security which the state has to take note of,’’ he told reporters after attending a cheque presentation ceremony at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society on Sunday.

The reports in Chinese newspapers stated that residents in Teluk Bahang found the dead dogs and highlighted the matter to Phee.

It was reported that the residents feared the dogs could have died after contracting a deadly disease.

Phee alerted the MPPP about the matter and the carcasses were sent to the Veterinarian Department.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 11 January 2009.

Article: Five year-old attacked by stray dog

Published: Tuesday January 13, 2009 MYT 8:35:00 PM

Updated: Tuesday January 13, 2009 MYT 8:51:51 PM

By DERRICK VINESH

BUTTERWORTH: A five-year-old schoolgirl received 15 stitches on the back of her neck after being bitten by a stray dog outside her Taman Bagan flat here.

Siti Nur Aisyah Zainon was playing in a playground with her brother, Muhammad Aliff Zainon, eight, at about 6.30pm on Monday when the dog suddenly attacked and pinned her face down.

“I was riding the slide when I noticed the dog running towards my sister, who was sitting in the middle of the field, before viciously biting her on the back of the neck.

“I shouted for help and a few boys from the neighbourhood managed to chase the dog away with a stool,” he said when met at the flat Tuesday.

Muhammad Aliff said he quickly carried his sister to their parents who was manning a food stall nearby, adding that her t-shirt was soaked in blood.

Witnesses told the girl’s father, Zainon Abdullah, 57, that the brownish white dog pounced on his daughter like a tiger.

“The dog even attempted to drag her away. My daughter had tried to stop the dog from biting her further by placing her hands on the back of her neck but to no avail.

“I immediately rushed her to the Seberang Jaya Hospital’s casualty ward where she was given a tetanus shot and the 15 stitches before being allowed home,” he said.

Apart from the stitches, the little girl also had a 2cm-deep gash on her neck along with several bite marks.

His wife Maliah Sidek, 45, said her traumatised daughter could not sleep the whole night as she kept crying and screaming, “Sakit! Sakit! (Pain! Pain!), noting that the authorities should trap the dog and put it dog to sleep.

“I do not want other children to end up becoming victims as well,” she said, adding that many stray dogs loitered about the neighbourhood, especially at night.

Taman Bagan Rukun Tetangga chairman Toh Eng Leong said many children from the 600-odd flat units there, frequented the playground daily.

“We fear for the safety of our children. The flat committee should help raise funds to fence up the area.”

Seberang Prai Municipal Council assistant public health officer Mohd Awalluddin Mohd Mustafa said his team had earlier picked up three stray dogs from the neighbourhood in the morning.

“We view this matter seriously and will make more frequent rounds, including night patrolling, if necessary, to impound these dogs,” he said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 13 January 2009

SMS your view

>Dogging problem
ARE Nilai public amenities in perfect condition & so well maintained that the local council can hv so much time for anti-dog campaigns?

DO we need rulings on dogs in Nilai to divide neighbours & create undue animosity? Promoting intolerance & tension.

IF dog owner fails 2 get neighbours apprv, who is going 2 b respn 4 our safety? Armed robberies are a growing prblm.

>Feline too
GOVT should also enforce written permission from neighbours for cats! Cats pooing in other’s compound!

DON’T feline owners need licences to keep their pets? Cats do create havoc you know. Ann

Views Taken From: The Star Online: News: Opinions 16 January 2009

Article: Dog owners in Nilai must now get neighbour’s permission

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 15 January 2009

View: Why pick on dogs only?

REFER to the report “Dog owners in Nilai must now get neighbour’s permission” (The Star, Jan 15). I really don’t know where we are heading to. We already have enough problems in this country and now this.

How come a person who rears a pet dog has to ask permission from the neighbours? We have no rights at all to even keep a pet dog? What if someone who has a dog moves to Nilai? Just throw it onto the streets as if it is garbage? Please remember that all animals are God’s creation and we are here to help and protect them.

They are not rubbish, they are living beings and they have feelings too!

The local council can implement its rules of course to create a comfortable living environment for the neighbourhood.

They can have rules as to how many dogs you can have according to the size of space you have for it. This is very good. They can also have a ruling that dogs are not allowed to roam freely which is also good.

They can implement rules that dogs have to be vaccinated, etc as this would protect the dog and prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

They can take action against people who do not adhere to the above rules but how can they deny someone the right to own a pet because the neighbour doesn’t like it? It is absolutely ridiculous and not fair.

They can warn dog owners if they mistreat their dogs or leave the house in a condition so intolerable that the neighbours complain of the smell.

Cats do not require any licence. I have seen people having 20 cats in cages with a horrible smell coming from their houses.

Don’t get me wrong. I love both cats and dogs. If the person can take care of 20 cats properly, then why not as long as it doesn’t make the neighbours uneasy.

But cats can cause problems too like going to the neighbour’s house to defecate and, during mating time, they make a lot of noise. So why is it that dogs are always being picked at?

REGINA KAUR, Petaling Jaya.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinions 16 January 2009

View: Unfair Laws on Dogs

I ALWAYS presumed that one’s own home was one’s castle. Obviously, I was wrong. Now I read that to own a pet dog, I need my neighbour’s permission “Dog owners in Nilai must now get neighbour’s permission” (The Star, Jan 15).

I am indeed baffled and I fear it will only cause more disunity than neighbourly camaraderie.

What if I am refused permission to keep a dog but I am registered visually impaired and need my guide dog? Am I the exception to the rule?

Why should a personal decision of mine, whether to own a dog or not, be entrusted to my neighbour?

Not everyone gets on well with one’s neighbour. This would be the perfect opportunity for him to repay any grudges he may have had towards me in the past.

And what if my friendly neighbour, who has given consent for me to own a dog, moves away? Do I have to go through the same process again?

And it does not do much for racial unity as it is generalised, wrongly or rightly, that most Muslims do not have dogs as pets as the dog is considered unclean, and so would be expected to turn down my request.

I think that the time and energy spent for the council to come with this latest ruling could be better harnessed towards eradicating poverty, or used it for other noble causes.

But, if the council wants to be seen doing something towards dog welfare, then maybe they should ensure that dog owners take their duty of care towards their dogs seriously.

This means ensuring dog owners house their pets in a clean environment, seeing that they are fed a suitable diet, are not suffering or in pain and are free from injury and disease.

By all means, do make it an offence if a dog is found wandering outside the house compound without the proper dog tag or microchip; or if the dog has no collar when taken into public places; or if a ferocious dog is unmuzzled in public; or if the dog has no leash when being taken for a walk on roads; or if an untrained dog is allowed to get out of control and be a danger and nuisance in public.

Also, owners can be prosecuted if the dogs are known to be maltreated or have been abandoned.
The owners could also be fined under the Noise Act if the dogs in a neighbour’s compound are too noisy.

Moreover, there should be strict fines for dogs that are allowed to defecate in public. In England, the fine ranges from RM 250 to RM 5,000 depending on locality.

As with most rules, there must be enforcement, not mere pronouncements, as what normally happens to these things.

MARIAM MOKHTAR,
Ipoh.

This view was taken from: The Star Newspaper: Views N59 17 January 2009

Article: Stray dogs drop dead in teluk bahang

This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: Nation N35 17 January 2009

Article: Holiday villa for dogs

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 14 January 2009

Article: Fewer cases of cats and dogs abandoned last year

THERE were fewer cases of pets abandoned in Penang in 2008 compared to 2007, said Penang Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) administrator Leng Lily.

She said 2,134 cats and dogs were abandoned in 2008 compared to 3,248 in 2007.

“The statistics are better and even though fewer people are giving up their pets, it is still not good enough.

“We are still doing our best to educate the people as we are receiving a lot of complaints about stray dogs on the streets,’” she said.

She also said 165 pets were adopted last year, compared with 147 in the previous year.

She said there were 45 stray dogs and cats at the centre, which could accommodate a maximum of 70 pets at one time depending on the size.

Leng said the centre was recruiting volunteer foster owners who could help look after puppies or kittens for a short period of time until they were old enough for vaccination.

“When we receive dogs and cats that are less than two months old, it is very difficult for us to look after them as they require a lot of attention and feeding and we do not have the manpower to do it.

“So we need volunteers who are willing and able to foster care for the animals for a few weeks until they are two months old so we can proceed with vaccination and adoption,” she said.

She said SPCA also held spaying campaigns every year where pet owners could sign up to obtain a spay voucher worth RM100 for their pets and go to any private clinic.

She said they could also sign up for RM120 for a vaccine, deworm and spay package for their pets.

She said the vouchers were only available for mongrels and owners who could not afford the fees at private clinics that cost between RM250 and RM350.

For more information, call 04-2816559/016-4166559.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 14 January 2009

Article: Dogs Always Play Fair

This article was taken from: New Straits Times: Focus: Science page 38; 21 December 2008

Boy, 12, bitten by orang-utan at zoo

BY SYLVIA LOOI

PENANG: Trespassing into the district veterinary clinic's mini zoo proved to be a painful lesson for a 12-year-old boy when he was attacked by Madu, the zoo's resident orang-utan.

Goh Beng Hooi, who visited the zoo in Jalan Gudwara with four friends on Sunday, had to undergo an operation at the Penang Hospital after his left foot was bitten by Madu.

In an interview from his hospital bed yesterday, Beng Hooi said: “The perimeter fencing surrounding the cage where the orang-utan was kept was not locked and I decided to go in and take a closer look.

PAINFUL EXPERIENCE: Beng Hooi resting at the Penang Hospital on Sunday after being bitten by an orang utan. With him is his mother.

“However, the orang-utan suddenly grabbed hold of my left leg before sinking her teeth into my foot.”

Beng Hooi added that the primate refused to let go of his bloodied foot and one of his friends had to hit her mouth with a stick to force her to free him.

Beng Hooi's friends helped him to the main road. A good Samaritan then sent him to the hospital.

IN CAPTIVITY: Madu was a gift to the district veterinary clinic from the Indonesia Government.

Beng Hooi's mother Kwek Im Choon, 50, said that due to serious bone injuries on his foot, an operation was conducted on Sunday night.

“I hope the incident will be a lesson to all,” the seamstress said, thanking the person who sent her son to hospital.

Earlier, Kampung Kolam assemblyman Lim Gim Soon inspected the fencing at the zoo after Beng Hooi's parents alerted him to the incident.

Lim said the Veterinary Services Department should ensure that the fencing around the orang-utan cage was properly locked.

“While it is commendable that the department maintain a zoo in the city, it should also ensure that dangerous animals are kept a safe distance from visitors,” he said, claiming that this was not the first incident that he had heard of.

Madu, born on Christmas Day in 1978, was a gift from the Indonesian Government.

Officials of the Veterinary Services Department could not be reached for comment.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 14 January 2003

Article: Whale of a catch for deep-sea fishermen

This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: Nation 3 January 2009

In my personal opinion, I believe that the death of the whale shark could have been avoided should the fishermen have cut their net to set it free. The statement made that he has never seen this kind of fish before and does not know what type of fish it was shows just how ignorant people can be.

Does this mean that if I see an Angel fish as big as a Perodua Kancil car while diving that I should catch it and let it die just because I've never seen such a big Angel fish? The answer is NO!

I went all the way to East Malaysia to find these whale sharks but to no avail, they are very rare now and yet this whale shark in the article above, happened in my own HOMETOWN!

Article: Pets are welcome

This article was taken from: The Star Online Weekenders: Lifestyle 13 December 2008

The ROCRICRUS Foundation, Penang

The ROCRICRUS Foundation, is a non-profit foundationg that was recently created by Clement aka Dog Is My Buddy (DIMB) [from petfinder] with the aim to help independent animal rescue organisations around Penang, Malaysia to provide food, water and other animal necessities for the rescued animals.

ROCRICRUS wishes to promote and make donations to independent rescue programs in which cats and dogs are able to get support from public. The Foundation also will support as well as encourage like-minded organisations via product donations.

The name ROCRICRUS was adapted from the name of the founder's 3 dogs Rocky, Ricky and Rusty.

YOU can help us by just providing them with any items from the list shown below:

• Dry Dog Food (Adult)
• Dry Dog Food (Puppy)
• Dry Cat Food (Adult)
• Dry Cat Food (Kitten)
• Canned Dog Food (Adult)
• Canned Dog Food (Puppy)
• Canned Cat Food (Adult)
• Canned Cat Food (Kitten)
• Dog Shampoo
• Cat Shampoo
• Tick/Flea Collar
• Tick/Flea Spray (eg. Frontline etc)
• Dog Collars
• Cat Collars
• Leashes
• Pet Carriers
• Combs
• Cages
• Towels
• Water Bowls
• Food Bowls
• Blankets
• Animal Nail Clippers
• Chew toys
• Scratch Posts
• Litter Box
• Litter Box Sand
• Hair Dryers
• Heartworm Medication
• Canine First Aid Kits
• Deworming medication
• Iodine
• Volunteers-Foster Homes, Education Coordinator
• Administrative-Printing Services and Graphic Design for brochures
• Blogger and Web Master-Have a free Banner for publicity
• Vehicle-New or used car for transporting animals
• Toys, Balls, Frisbees, Animal Beds
• Monetary-At the moment the ROCRICRUS Foundation does not accept any Cash donation

For more information on how/what you can donate OR if you are an independent animal rescue organisation who would like to receive public support please contact: buddy@onboardsign.net

**NOTE**

At the moment, there is no specific drop off point for donated products hence all donors are required to notify the ROCRICRUS Foundation at the e-mail address stated above to provide their contact information and details should they have any items that they would like to donate in order to arrange a pick up day and time for the donated items.

Article: Lives of animals need to be taken care of

This article was taken from: The Star Newspaper: Nation 7 December 2008

Article: Distraught over vet’s death

This article was taken from: The Star Online News: Nation 8 December 2008

Article: Bkt Antarabangsa: 3,000 residents ordered to leave danger areas

KUALA LUMPUR: About 3,000 residents of four areas in Bukit Antarabangsa have been ordered to move immediately as they are in landslide-danger areas.

However, many of the residents are refusing to move.

Selangor chief police officer Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the four areas are the Impian Selatan Condominium, Taman Bukit Mewah, Jalan 6A Taman Bukit Jaya and Jalan 9 Taman Wangsa Ukay.

DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said that despite repeated pleas, some residents still continued to defy the calls and would not leave their homes.

“We have already advised them to move out as we have been advised by Malaysia Public Works Insitute (Ikram) and Public Works Department (PWD) that the area within one kilometer of the landslide is unsafe,” he said.

He said the findings of a study conducted by the both departments found the immidiete row of houses along Jalan Wangsa 9, where the landslide began as unsafe and could collapse at any moment.

“Ikram and PWD are now doing a study to determine if the second row of houses could face the same fate,” DCP Khalid said.

The landslide early Saturday killed four who were pulled out of the rubble and included Indonesian maid Surinah who was found to have died of suffocation.

At around 11.30am on Sunday, sniffer dogs detected something which was believed to be a fifth body but turned out to be that of a dead animal.

The landslide also cut off electricity to the area. On Sunday, Tenaga Nasional Bhd sent a generator to the area to provide electricity for the 2,000 people in the affected housing estates.

DCP Khalid also said 17 people from unaffected residences nearby had been airlifted out from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon as they needed immediate medical assistance.

Meanwhile, work has finally begun on the construction of the bridge to allow vehicles to pass through.

It is learnt there are 50 vehicles trapped in Taman Bukit Mewah.

The bridge is being constructed with the expense of the outside wall of a house which had to be torn down for construction works to be done by the army.

It is expected to be up within two and three hours.

Latest figures show that no less than 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes within the 1km vicinty and 17 people have been airlifted in helicopters including pregnant women and the sick.

Another 2,000 people stuck in other housing estates cut off to the outside due to the landslide are continusly being provided 5,000 packs of food and drinks which are airlifted in by police and army helicopters.

DCP Khalid said a hotline has been set up for worried friends and family to call and provide information to authorities. The number is 03-41070055 and 03-41086321.

This article was taken from: The Star Online News: Nation 8 December 2008

Article: Veterinarian with a heart of gold

This article was taken from: The Star Online News: Nation 8 December 2008

Article: SPCA sets up refuge

KUALA LUMPUR: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has set up a temporary refuge for abandoned and lost pets.

SPCA inspectorate consultant Glyn Roberts said a cat refuge was set up where emergency workers could safely confine injured animals found.

The SPCA team of six responded to calls for help in rescuing pets which included helping Taman Bukit Mewah resident Azuin Baharudin save her 51 cats on Saturday.

This article was taken from: The Star Online News: Nation 8 December 2008

Article: Govt gets serious about fighting animal abuse

This article was taken from: The Star Online News: Nation 26 November 2008

Article: Dog catchers acted cruelly, alleges rescuer

This article was taken from: The Star Online Central 10 November 2008

Article: Thieves target pedigree pets in the Klang Valley

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Central 30th October 2008

Article: Meet spunky Snoopy, the handicapped dog in a wheelchair

This article was taken from: The Star Nation 19th September 2008