Ipoh Bans Shooting of Strays

So the long awaited news of the ban on shooting of dogs has finally been announced. However, to AWAM's dismay, the ban seems to be only in force in Ipoh. AWAM hopes that the DVS will ensure that the ban is enforced nationwide.

Additionally, it is interesting to read that the Ipoh Council plans to set up a pound to keep animals caught on the streets. While this idea is good in theory, AWAM hopes that the council realises that the setting up of an animal pound does not just mean having cages where these poor animals are dumped and then left for dead.

Conditions at our local pounds

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A good pound needs proper management and should not be a place where animals are mistreated and left to die like many of our local pounds. More often than not, the animals that are imprisoned in our local pounds are in a much worse off condition than when they were on the streets or even when they were in the care of supposedly bad owners.

Conditions at our Local Pounds

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Source: The Star
Ipoh Bans Shooting of Strays
City council to use other methods to deal with stray animals

IPOH: The Ipoh City Council will implement a ban on the shooting of stray animals with immediate effect.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday after meeting council secretary Datuk Abdul Md Ariff yesterday, Petpositive president T. Anthony Siva Balan said the council had agreed to stop shooting strays and would use other methods to deal with them.

"The council will send its officers to their counterparts in Petaling Jaya next week to learn dog-catching methods," said Anthony, who is also Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) local councillor.

"They are also studying the possibility of setting up an animal pound to keep animals caught on the streets," he said.

He said the council would work closely with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in dealing with strays.
"A committee set up by the council will have meetings later to discuss neutering and spaying the animals," he added.

Anthony also said a representative from the council would visit the 75-year-old owner of Spunk, the therapy dog which was killed by council dog catchers late last month, to apologise for the unfortunate incident.
"Spunk's sacrifice was not in vain," said Anthony.

"Pet lovers can finally sleep soundly, knowing that their pets are safe from being shot at," he added.
On Oct 29, 10-year-old Spunk was shot dead after its owner left it unattended for a while to get toilet paper to clean after the animal.

The killing of the animal drew flak from numerous NGOs, who called for an immediate ban on dog shooting.
Earlier, several NGOs, including Petpositive, Noah's Ark Ipoh and the Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, jointly handed over a memorandum to ban animal shooting to Abdul Md Ariff.

PUPPIES LOOKING FOR NEW HOMES

MIRA the puppy and her five siblings were rescued off the streets of Klang when they were found hiding under an old car.

Their mother was missing and one of the siblings was found to be unconscious due to head injuries. The puppy died a few days after the rescue.

All the siblings have been adopted except for Mira who now waits for a home at the canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) halfway-home in Klang.

Leng Leng and Mindy were also among the many puppies currently being taken care by MDDB.

The three puppies are among the many that will be put-up for adoption by MDDB at the Summit Subang Jaya this Sunday.

The adoption drive will be held near the main entrance from 11am to 7pm.

MDDB adoption coordinator Christine Lai said they have been receiving a continuous flow of puppies and dogs for the last few months.

“They just keep coming in and we have also rescued several accident victims,’’ she added.
“We think there is a dog dumping trend going and this is very worrying,’’ said Lai.

She said these dogs would also be put up for adoption once they have been neutered and vaccinated.
Lai said those wanting to make donations to MDDB and its feline welfare counterpart Malaysian Cats Care Project (MCCP) can drop off the items at the venue.

“We need dry and canned dog and puppy food, dry and canned cat and kitten food, old newspapers, dog and cat shampoo, old towels, rice, cages, detergent and bleach,’’ said Lai.

For details, call 019-357 6477 or 012-373 9007, visit www.malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com or e-mail malaysiandogsdeservebetter1@gmail.com

DVS BANS DOG SHOOTING IN MALAYSIA

11 Nov 2010 UPDATE:

The article published by The Star today  merely states that 

 

The Perak government has asked all local councils in the state to study the feasibility of using tranquiliser darts to put down strays. 

 

There is no mention of the ban on shooting of dogs. And the question that begs to be asked is "Why must these strays be put down before giving them a chance to be rehomed, or even to consider other methods of stray management such as Trap, Neuter and Release?

 

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10 Nov 2010: AWAM has just received news from PetPositive that the DVS has ordered and immediate end to all dog shooting in Malaysia following a meeting between DVS and several animal welfare/rights groups. 

 

This is excellent news and AWAM hopes that the DVS will hold true to their word and ensure that this ban is implemented with immediate effect. AWAM and all animal lovers look forward to seeing this news made official in our local press. 

However, in addition to a ban on shooting of dogs in the country, AWAM would like to stress that the management of strays in the country needs a complete overhaul. This includes, and is not limited to, significantly improved and humane dog catching methods (such as humane traps) as well as a major upgrade of the local pounds. 

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Source: PetPositive

Veterinary Department Orders An Immediate End To All Dog-Shooting In Malaysia

DATELINE DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY SERVICES, PUTRAJAYA: 

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY SERVICES (DVS) has called for an immediate ban on dog-shooting in the entire country.

This follows the senseless shooting to death of a senior therapy dog named "Spunk" in Taman Merdeka by the Ipoh City Council or MBI on October 30th, last month. 

The canine belonged to a 75-year-old retired teacher who is a member of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE). 

"Not only was it an extremely sad and regrettable incident but the killing of an animal that brought only hope and companionship to a senior citizen is inexcusable and a major embarrassment to Malaysia's image internationally," said Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamalludin, (right)  the Director-General of the DVS.

"The DVS views what happened very seriously," he added to a question put by PET+BLOGSPOT at a press conference this afternoon at the Department of Agriculture building here.

Dr Aziz was speaking at the conclusion of a special open dialogue session this morning in which he served as the chair. 

Dr Aziz leading the discussion

The event, which was organised by the DVS, brought together about 30 people from government bodies as well as animal rights and welfare NGOs.

Apart from Petpositive, the other representatives came from the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor, SPCAs from Selangor and Ipoh, Noah's Ark also from Perak, state and the Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation (MNAWF) from Kuala Lumpur.

The MNAWF was represented by its chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Nordin Mohd Nor, a former director-general of the Veterinary Services Department.

 

Petpositive called for the immediate outlawing of dog-shooting at the meeting. This was echoed by all of the NGOs at the meeting.

Cruel to shoot dogs

"The reason why local councils resort to dog-shooting is to find a quick solution to the problem of strays but this is not an acceptable solution," Dr Aziz pointed out.

"Dog-shooting is not only unnecessary but a cruel practice that is unacceptable in today's world," he added.

"It is also very dangerous as the bullet could strike human beings.

"Councils will no longer be allowed to shoot dogs but only under special situations such as in disease situations; however, it can only be done in very rare cases and under the supervision of qualified veterinarians.

"Councils should instead employ more humane methods to effectively deal with the stray problem by catching them and offering training to their catchers.

"Councils that currently exercise dog-shooting currently should learn from local councils in Selangor, in particular, that have abandoned such practices and now employ humane and more effective methods in stray management. 

Dr Aziz says his department will be writing immediately to the MBI to instruct them to cease all dog-shooting. 

This will also apply to other local councils in the country that is also engaging in such practices. 

A representative of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government who was present at today's meeting said that his department will also do the same.

Speaking to PET+BLOGSPOT after the meeting, Dr Ranjit Kaur from Noah's Ark said she was delighted by the decision of the DVS and the action that will be taken.

"As an advocate who has been actively fighting against canine-shooting in our city for many years, it was truly worth traveling all the way to this meeting."

Beaming also from ear to ear was Dr Goh Hue Lang, the head of SPCA in Ipoh. 

"Whilst dog-shooting is going to be a thing of the past, there are still many things to do to solve the problem of stray dogs in the city which we all need to put our heads together in order to find the best solution," she said.

Newcomer to the animal rights movement, Francis Siva, president of ILTC, said he was most impressed with Dr Aziz.

"He came across as a very approachable DG who had an amazing understand of dogs, their behaviour and how best to approach the issue," he noted.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE ROTTWEILER

With Custard, a Rottweiler

Up until 2 years ago, I always assumed that breeds such as the Rottweiler and Bull Terriers etc were vicious, aggressive and highly unpredictable dogs. My misconception was based on the fact that I had never met a well behaved, sweet natured rottweiler or bull terrier.

However, a few months after I joined the Mayhew Animal Home in 2008, I was given the task to care for Custard, a young and fairly large Rottweiler. When Custard stands up on her hind legs, she's taller than me, so it was only natural that I was petrified!!!

But to my surprise what greeted me behind the kennel door, was a bouncy and playful Custard! She loved nothing more than getting her tummy tickled and would lick you to death if you let her. It was the first time I have ever encountered a Rottweiler that was not ready to eat me... I soon learnt that Rotties really are sweet and lovable dogs...

And this was confirmed, soon after Custard was rehomed, by another Rottweiler which I had the privilege to care for while I was at The Mayhew - Buster.

During my time at The Mayhew, I learnt that dogs such as the Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terriers have earned the bad reputation of being killer dogs due to the "training" or lack of it from their owners.

These breeds are naturally protective of their territory and families, therefore it is vital that they are socialised at an early age, given enough training (positive reinforcement), and leadership by their owners to prevent untoward incidents.

With Kyra (Bull Mastiff) and Buster (Rottweiler)

According to the Dog Bite Claims UK website, the top ten most aggressive breed:

1. Dachshunds
2. Chihuahua
3. Jack Russell
4. Australian Cattle Dog
5. Cocker Spaniel
6. Beagle
7. Border Collie
8. Pit Bull Terrier
9. Great Dane
10. English Springer Spaniel

The Dachshund, otherwise known as the Sausage dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers. They came out as the most aggressive breed with 1 in 5 reported to have bitten or tried to bite a stranger and 1 in 12 snapping at their owners.

The top ten least aggressive dogs:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
3. Poodle
4. Greyhound
5. Whippet
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Siberian Husky
8. Golden Retriever
9. Havanese
10. Portuguese water dog

These dogs also rated low for “watchdog” behaviour and “territorial defence” behaviour so they tend to make lovable family pets.

Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:

• Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.
• Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.
• Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protective nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.
• German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.
• Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children.

Other dogs that are known to be aggressive include:

• Chow Chow: this is a “one person dog”. It forms a very strong bond with one person (usually the owner) and is ferocious around strangers who it considers a threat to its owner. It is a good guard dog, but it can bite without warning and they are tenacious fighters.
• Papillon: These dogs are fiercely loyal of their owners and can be very possessive, they don’t like strangers either.
• Old English Sheepdogs: Again these dogs are very protective of their owners. They are strong-willed and independent and they will nip either other animals or children.
• Lhasa Apso: These dogs can be cranky and unpredictable; they are strong-willed and independent. They were originally bred as guard dogs.
• Giant Schnauzers: They are very dominant and will challenge adults and strangers.
• Pekingese: These dogs do not like strangers and can be very aggressive towards them
• Miniature Pinschers: These are little dogs but they can be very aggressive to compensate for this.

However, every dog is different and won’t always fit its breed stereotype: just because its breed is generally considered to be gentle or sweet natured doesn’t guarantee that your dog will be the same.

Any dog can be aggressive and bite so you must make sure that you put aside the time to train it and socialize it properly so that it is more comfortable in unfamiliar circumstances and with strangers.

Before you get a dog it is worthwhile researching breeds to make sure that you choose one that is suitable for your lifestyle, i.e. it is good with children if you have any in the family, or not getting a fragile dog if you are a large family.

However good a dog is said to be with children and however well behaved it you should never leave children unsupervised with a dog; often they can provoke it without meaning to and little children can be defenceless against a dog.

So please next time you see a Rottie in the street, don't automatically assume it's a "devil dog".

If, god forbid, there are any more stories on a Rottie attacking somone, have a think as to WHY it happened. It could be because these dogs have irresponsible owners who have not socialised, trained or shown correct leadership and affection to their dogs.

If handled correctly from the minute you bring them home Rottweilers make FANTASTIC pets, but in the wrong hands they may only do what they feel they must in order to protect themselves...

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Addtional Reading: When the truth is mauled by misconceptions...