From The Star (10/9/07)
Catching strays not for the man on the street
VALLEY VIEWS WITH FREDERICK FERNANDEZ
THERE is going to be a dogathon of a different kind in Selayang soon and the “barking” has never been louder.
Selayang Municipal Council’s (MPS) decision to hold a competition to rid the place of stray dogs drew a lot of flak from animal rights groups and pet owners.
Clearly, the uproar is over the council’s unconventional, if not risky, approach to resolving the high number of strays in the municipality.
Cash prizes of up to RM15,000 would be dished out to any individual or group that could catch more than 150 stray dogs within six months. A sum of RM20 would be given for each stray dog caught alive.
Yet again, we get another local government introducing a dogmatic programme without getting the people’s or even expert feedback.
The council should have sought assistance from the Veterinary Services Department and groups like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Furry Friends Farm, Petpositive, Roar and others before introducing such a competition.
Catching stray dogs is no easy task. It is even dangerous. Only a trained dog catcher can handle the job. And, even for the latter, it is no easy task.
A few years back, a neighbour of mine contacted the local municipal council to complain about six stray dogs loitering in the neighbourhood.
The dogs had attacked a few passers-by and motorcyclists before this. The canines also rummaged for food from garbage bins, creating a mess outside homes.
When a team of dog catchers arrived one fine morning, the dogs ran helter-skelter and only two were caught.
The dogs, as if aware that it was a “do or die” attempt, put up a fight with the catchers.
By organising the competition, the council is clearly compromising not only the safety of the dogs, but also the individuals who take part.
Those desperate for quick money, like drug addicts may jump on the bandwagon. A brutal encounter awaits should this happens.
The untrained dog catchers may resort to using whatever they can, maybe spears, iron rods and parangs to capture these dogs.
The end result would be a lot of injured and wounded dogs handed over to MPS.
Did I mention a neighbour’s dog going missing all of a sudden one morning, too?
And, the man who lives next door coming out to breathe fresh air again - gleefully.
It is imperative to look at this delicate issue comprehensively and come up with a workable solution rather than to engage in a war of words in the media.
The council probably never gave a thought as to where these dogs would be housed. The canines could pose a danger while under captivity.
If MPS has a shortage of manpower in catching strays, they should seek the assistance of neighbouring councils to help for now at least.
They should also train volunteers, not ask everyone in the neighbourhood to take on the task. Another programme MPS could implement is to seek the help of the veterinary services department and animal rights groups to spay and neuter strays to control their breeding.
And yes, clear the rubbish outside homes on time, too. Unless these measures are considered, the stray dogs in Selayang are still the underdogs in their battle to escape the harsh treatment of this”dog-eat-dog-world” of ours.
