A Time For Self-Reflection

A commenter Tebing Tinggi left a comment early this morning. Thank you. I totally agree with you.

Yesterday, when my colleagues and I were at the market interviewing the people, many of them were blaming the government and "the Malays for not liking dogs and this is why they kill the dogs this way".  One Indian guy asked: "If I were to talk to you and the government come and find me, can you protect me?"

If the sight of dogs being killed and dumped like that make our hearts cringe, then don't contribute to the problem.  Irresponsible breeders and guardians need to self-reflect.  The relevant authorities need to keep the streets safe.

However, there must be a more humane way of ending a life,  I sincerely hope the local councils and animal welfare non-governmental organisations will work together to find a solution to this problem.

APPEAL FOR COMPASSION: The Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants to work with local councils to control the stray dog population in the city

JOHOR BAHRU: THE Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JBSPCA) hopes to work with local councils to control the stray dog population in the city.

Its chairman Ranjit Singh said this after receiving complaints from the public that dogs were being killed and dumped in refuse bins in their neighbourhoods.

"We can understand that the local councils have to do something about the stray dog population, as canines in a pack can turn hostile.

"JBSPCA is appealing to the authorities to use a humane euthanisation method. We are also willing to assist the local authority in a spay programme," Ranjit said.

He said it was unethical to clobber or shoot an animal, and then put it into a plastic bag for it to die from its injuries or from lack of oxygen.

"That is a very cruel way to die," he added.

Streets checked out two garbage disposal centres -- one at Taman Universiti and another at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah -- and found that stray dogs were indeed dumped in black plastic bags.

A Taman Ungku Tun Aminah resident, who only wanted to be known as Pei, said she often heard dogs wailing in the garbage dumpster near the area's market.

"Being an animal lover, the dreadful sound of a dog crying as it breathes its last really disturbs me. I can't sleep at night," she said.

Pei claimed that the dogs were brought there in a truck and dumped.

Traders at the market in Taman Universiti, near Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, said there was a strong stench when the rubbish was not picked up on time.

"The men would come in a truck two or three times a week and dump the plastic bags containing dogs into the dumpster.

"Sometimes, some of the dogs are still alive when they dumped there," said one of the traders who declined to be named.

It is learnt that this inhumane practice has been going on for several years.

JBSPCA vice-chairman Joseph Chia said stray dogs should be put down humanely and the carcasses disposed off properly.

SWM Environment Sdn Bhd corporate communications head Shahrul Amir Abdul Rahim said the company would look into the matter. The company is in charge of waste management in the two areas.

Johor Baru Central municipal council could not be reached for comment.

Read more: 'Cull stray dogs humanely' - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/cull-stray-dogs-humanely-1.560512#ixzz2yXAyKEvt