Our Meeting With MPSJ
AnimalCare 
Jun 7, 2013 
AnimalCare, NGOs 
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Ref:http://myanimalcare.org/2013/05/29/our-proposal-to-the-mpsj/
After waiting for 2 weeks, we were finally informed yesterday that MPSJ would grant us an audience. So, this morning was the much awaited meeting.
We had already earlier spoken with SPCA Kota Kinabalu to learn how they are doing it with their council and we redrafted our proposal as below:
1. To spare all ear-notched animals in the MPSJ area from capture-and-kill.
2. To have “animal-friendly” areas where a feeder will be responsible to take care of the animals (get them neutered and treated if sick) and to spare these animals from capture-and-kill.
3. To increase the rate of dog licenses for unneutered dogs and provide an incentive for the owners of such dogs to get their dogs neutered.
We asked for a 6-month trial period for (2).
In short, MPSJ did not agree with (1) and (2). As for (3), they mentioned that they already have plans for increasing the licenses for unneutered dogs as well as imposing a requirement to get the dogs micro-chipped.
The main reason MPSJ could not agree with (1) and (2) is that by law, any free-roaming animal (without an owner and unleashed) found on public premises is considered a “nuisance” and it is the duty of the local councils to catch these animals.
Hence, they cannot agree to releasing neutered animals back to the street.
Instead of TNR, the council suggested Trap-Neuter-Adopt. Get the animals adopted, they said. Yes, we know that is ideal and we wish we could, but in reality, it isn’t possible to get so many animals adopted.
The council also advised that captured animals (placed at the pound) can be reclaimed or adopted. The procedure is to call MPSJ (03-80237595) to arrange for the reclaim of any captured animal or to adopt an animal (for a fee). But please act fast if your animal has been captured.
The council explained that complaints against stray animals constitute the highest percentage of grievances received by the local council, with complaints against stray dogs topping the list at 70%. They council has to act when complaints are lodged. These complaints range from being bitten and being chased by stray dogs, dogs barking, animals defecating in public places, cats sitting atop cars and climbing onto roofs, etc. And some of these complaints cannot be addressed even if the animals have been neutered. It is the natural behaviour of animals to defecate on the grass or for example, for cats to climb. Unfortunately, humans demand that animals “behave” (as humans do?).
This comes back to what we had always been saying, that animal lovers constitute the minority. We need a bigger voice to speak for the animals, but how can we get this bigger voice? I have no answer to this. The only way we know is through education by example. And perhaps, to awaken the benevolence and compassion in more people?
When the complaining stops, the killing might stop.
Another issue brought up by the council is that there are feeders, but some feeders are not responsible in maintaining cleanliness of the surroundings, thus leading to more complaints from the public. This is a point we’d like highlight here:Feeders, please take care of the cleanliness issue. Please feed your animals responsibly and pick up after them.
Our meeting with MPSJ ended with the following:
1. MPSJ is not ready to consider TNR at this point in time.
2. MPSJ is not able to consider our proposals.
3. From their own research based on the results in other places, TNR does not really work.
4.They will, however, wait and see if Kota Kinabalu and Seberang Perai achieve results.
So, we’re really sorry, folks, but we tried.
We shall continue to provide our subsidies for neutering and medical treatment as per our policy.
This leads us back to square one where we will work at the grassroots providing help to all feeders and rescuers. We were really hoping that the council would at least spare our ear-notched animals, but they have already explained that it is not possible for them to agree to releasing any animal, neutered or not, back to the street.
We wish to thank the 10 feeders who had responded to our call for participation. I have already written to all of them personally to explain the outcome of our meeting with MPSJ and that our proposals were not accepted. We apologise to all of you for being unable to convince the council to let us have a 6-month trial period.
In all fairness, we also understand the council’s stand that it has a duty to the public and there are laws to be followed. We respect the council’s decision in being unable to accept our proposal at this moment (but we hope Kota Kinabalu and Seberang Perai will produce favourable results).
We also wish to again, gently remind all feeders/caregivers/pet owners to take care of their animals responsibly so that their animals will not be viewed as a “nuisance” to the community. And please remember to respect the law. At the end of the day, if we run foul of the law, our animals will be the victims.
With this said, let’s move on and continuing doing our small bit for the animals.
Let’s not feel discouraged just because we are a minority. Every life saved is precious. Please remember this.
If we may put in a last word on this: We hope our elected representatives will draw on their compassion and lobby for kinder laws for the stray animals. Killing may temporarily solve the problem, but killing is never a wise solution to any problem.
Thank you.
Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2013/06/07/our-meeting-with-mpsj/
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