Our King Signs UDAW Petition !
November 2008: DYMM Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has joined 8,000 members of the Malaysian public in signing the Animals Matter to Me global petition in support of Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW).
Other influential figures backing the international recognition of the importance of animal welfare are Malaysia’s Minister of Agriculture Y.B. Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, Tourism Minister Dato' Sri Azalina binti Othman Said, and KL Tower CEO Dato' Zulkifli. Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, is passionate about horse riding and horse welfare. The UDAW will encourage better welfare for horses and all Malaysia’s animals. WSPA and member society SPCA Selangor have worked together to achieve this step forward for the UDAW campaign in Malaysia.Globally, animal welfare groups, individuals, politicians and others are campaigning for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare – an agreement to respect animals and their welfare needs – to be endorsed by the United Nations. SPCA Selangor thanks His Royal Highness for thinking of the animals!
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Sesi Soal Jawab Bersama PERHILITAN
On the 17th of November, PERHILITAN organized a “Sesi Soal Jawab Bersama PERHILITAN’ – a meeting to discuss current issues pertaining to wildlife – inviting several NGOs to join them in resolving these issues. SPCA Selangor, WWF Malaysia, TRAFFIC South East Asia, Malaysian Nature Society, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Wetlands International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society attended the meeting. Dr Karthi Martelli from the Hong Kong SPCA represented SPCA Selangor to present a talk on the management of the human-macaque conflict, which was well received by PERHILITAN. With the government body’s close cooperation, Dr Karthi has been given the thumbs-up to initiate her pilot project in 2009.
Press Release :SPCA & DVS Investigate Alleged Abuses by Dog-Catchers
SELANGOR – The Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) Selangor is working closely with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to investigate recent reports alleging abuse by dog-catchers. “The reports have been pouring in, we are now investigating up to 4 local municipal councils for alleged cruelty to animals by municipal and contracted dog-catchers,” says SPCA Chairperson Christine Chin. Three out of the four incidents have been reported to the police.
Investigations probe dog-catchers jurisdiction and abusive methods
In the wake of the Turbo’s case in late September – the Jack-Russell Terrier abducted from his home by Majlis Perbandaran Sepang dog-catchers – three more reports were made to SPCA on the long-standing issue of unethical and inhumane dog-catchers in the Klang Valley. Two weeks ago a case was reported where Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) dog-catchers caught a stray dog and dragged it through a house gate. A witness states the dog had been beaten by the dog catchers, dragged through a 5-inch gap in the gate, and taken to the MPSJ Dog Pound in Puchong– where it was not treated for its injuries. Animal rescuers paid the compound, removed the dog and sent it to the vet for treatment the next day. The vet report states that the dog was suffering from bleeding gums and lower lips, cut wounds and abrasions on forehead and right ear – and stated that the dog was 'clearly traumatised'.SPCA and DVS have since met with the MPSJ Health Department, andspot-checked the MPSJ Dog-Pound to survey the conditions. A visit was also made to the vacant house in Bandar Kinrara where the stray dog was removed from, where both the SPCA and DVS teams collected evidence - photographing the premises, taking measurements of the gate and speaking to the witness. Both the DVS and MPSJ Health Department confirmed that dog-catchers do not have the right to enter occupied private property and seize an unlicenced dog, merely because it does not have a licence. In this situation, they said that the correct course of action would be to compound the owner first.
Within days of this incident, another pet owner lodged a report with SPCA, alleging that Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) dog-catchers had trespassed into her home and caught her dog, dragging it out from underneath the main gate. Attempts were made to locate the dog which was not taken to the PAWS Animal Shelter, but held by the MBSA and put to sleep three days later. The owner and an SPCA Inspector arrived during the destruction process, and were literally minutes too late to save the dog. The distraught owner made a police report immediately after leaving the pound.
“Please keep an eye on each others dogs especially when your neighbours are at work. If you see something suspicious take notes,” urges SPCA Inspectorate consultant Glyn Roberts, formerly of RSPCA UK. “Take down the description and registration number of van, description/ uniform worn by people stealing dog, and how many of them are there. Note all actions and record details of the incident, take photos or videos of the van and people in action, and make a police report immediately,” he continues.
“Early this year, DVS had issued their Humane Management of Stray Animals Guidelines to all municipal councils in Malaysia. The basis of the guidelines are the Five Freedoms for Animals, and cover aspects like catching, transportation, housing, and euthanasia,” says Chin. “We hope that all municipals will adapt these guidelines, to ensure that all animals under their care will be treated with kindness and compassion,” she continues.
If you come across such cases of abusive dog-catchers, please notify SPCA Selangor immediately at 42565312/ 42535179 (8.30am-4.30pm) or at spca@streamyx.com, so the organisation can compile evidence on the case and follow-up with the authorities.
It’s Hard To Let Go, But …
In Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, a concerned neighbour lodged a report about an old dog that was in poor condition. Based on the report, the 10-year-old dog was paralysed – it could not walk at all, only able to lift its head to eat and drink. The dog also apparently howled in distress every night. Upon a visit by the Animal Inspectors, the dog was found to be losing its sight, and was also underweight. The owners, an elderly couple, said they did not mean to be cruel to the dog – they just loved it too much to let it go. The Inspectors advised the owner that it was in the best interest of the dog to put an end to its suffering. The owners told us that it was a difficult decision for them to make, and they requested for a few days to decide how to help the dog. One week later, they called SPCA to come and pick-up their dog, and have it laid to rest humanely. They said the dog’s condition had deteriorated, and they could not stand to stand by and watch it suffer anymore.
Moral of the story: As much as we love and cherish our pets, we must always remember to put the animals welfare first. The decision to euthanize a family pet is a very difficult decision to make, requiring careful deliberation and discussion with your vet and your family. The fact is, we will almost always outlive our pets. When the time comes, we must not be blinded by our own emotions – and think of only the best option for our much-loved companions.
Animals For Adoption @ SPCA Selangor!
Pictures Courtesy of Andrew Ng & Dr Natasha
Visit http://www.animalsmatter.org/ or http://www.udaw.org/ for more information
