By Wani Muthiah. It Cannot Be Denied That Street D..
Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better 
Mar 13, 2025 
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By WANI MUTHIAH
IT CANNOT be denied that street dogs are exposed to immense suffering and torture with certain quarters regarding them with disdain and abhorrence.
These poor creatures are beaten, scalded, slashed and even poisoned by those who hate their very existence, dubbing them as a nuisance.
These unwanted canines also face government-sanctioned abuse and gross mistreatment in the hands of local council dog catching units.
While there are many who go all out to highlight the plight of these unfortunate animals, there are many more who are against showing care, compassion and mercy, as well as feeding street dogs and cats.
Some local councils have also gone to the extent of putting up signages prohibiting Good Samaritans from feeding them.
But to be fair, not everyone that provides sustenance to homeless animals do it responsibly and this is a pet peeve shared by seasoned rescuers and animal activists.
Generally, those who do occasional and random feeding do not follow the rule of the thumb which requires feeders to wait on location until the animals finish eating in order to clean-up the place.
Some even dump huge amounts of leftover food by the roadside, which often rots and raises a stink.
Seasoned feeders and activists would practice portion control which means they feed the dogs just enough to ensure they do not go hungry.
Feeders, who manage colonies, also grouse that random feeders leave behind paper and plastic bags, they use to place the food on, and the blame of littering the place more often than not falls on the regular feeders.
Now coming back to the local councils, recently there were videos circulating on social media showing screaming puppies and dogs being dragged out of a van and euthanized mercilessly in a southern district by a local council team.
Many had taken to protesting and screaming to voice their anger and angst over the incident.
In a previous case where a sweet natured street dog named Kopi was shot by the Besut Municipal Council, a large-scale demonstration was held at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) headquarters in Putrajaya.
Another demonstration was also held at Parliament and a second one was held just recently following the vagary that took place at the Johor district.
Given the severity of the atrocities perpetrated against street animals, especially dogs, it would be wise to have a ‘good cop bad cop’ strategy as opposed to mass rabble rousing and scream fests involving everyone.
Operators of established shelters and longtime seasoned rescuers, who are known to the relevant authorities, must keep out of the mayhem and instead engage the local councils respectfully to establish camaraderie in order to pave a path to negotiate a win-win situation for all.
Leave the screaming and protests to the newbies and those who do not actively rescue or run shelters.
Those who have shelters, must also ensure their premises are clean and the dogs there happy and healthy, especially when the councils pay a social visit to discuss what can be done for street dogs under their jurisdiction.
It would not augur well if the councils find the condition of the shelters, they are visiting, is just as bad or even worse than their sad and tragic pounds.
And to stop the unnecessary catching and killing in favour of the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) method of stray management, putting the DVS and local councils on the defensive with threats and allegations is certainly not the way forward.
Instead, efforts must made to extend an olive branch to the councils to initiate a working partnership like what the Penang-based Independent Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA Penang) has embarked on with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
IAPWA Penang traps, neuters and releases street animals on the island and because of this the catching and culling has stopped.
The MBPP has also provided IAPWA a pound to carry out the activities and for once a local council pound is a conduit of hope instead of one reeking of misery and death.
Please emulate IAPWA by initiating friendly negotiations as opposed to adopting a belligerent stance.
Because when push comes to shove, the councils may initiate a miscalculated move of intensifying dog catching activities and cite public safety and health as an excuse without realizing the trouble they will land into, yet again, for arousing public anger.
But by then, the harm would have been done with many defenseless and pitiful dogs and puppies falling prey and facing intense suffering.
And finally, everyone involved must remember that what they are doing is geared towards ensuring street animals are better treated and given a chance to live out their natural lives in peace and not about who is seen or heard the most.
ends
By WANI MUTHIAH
IT CANNOT be denied that street dogs are exposed to immense suffering and torture with certain quarters regarding them with disdain and abhorrence.
These poor creatures are beaten, scalded, slashed and even poisoned by those who hate their very existence, dubbing them as a nuisance.
These unwanted canines also face government-sanctioned abuse and gross mistreatment in the hands of local council dog catching units.
While there are many who go all out to highlight the plight of these unfortunate animals, there are many more who are against showing care, compassion and mercy, as well as feeding street dogs and cats.
Some local councils have also gone to the extent of putting up signages prohibiting Good Samaritans from feeding them.
But to be fair, not everyone that provides sustenance to homeless animals do it responsibly and this is a pet peeve shared by seasoned rescuers and animal activists.
Generally, those who do occasional and random feeding do not follow the rule of the thumb which requires feeders to wait on location until the animals finish eating in order to clean-up the place.
Some even dump huge amounts of leftover food by the roadside, which often rots and raises a stink.
Seasoned feeders and activists would practice portion control which means they feed the dogs just enough to ensure they do not go hungry.
Feeders, who manage colonies, also grouse that random feeders leave behind paper and plastic bags, they use to place the food on, and the blame of littering the place more often than not falls on the regular feeders.
Now coming back to the local councils, recently there were videos circulating on social media showing screaming puppies and dogs being dragged out of a van and euthanized mercilessly in a southern district by a local council team.
Many had taken to protesting and screaming to voice their anger and angst over the incident.
In a previous case where a sweet natured street dog named Kopi was shot by the Besut Municipal Council, a large-scale demonstration was held at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) headquarters in Putrajaya.
Another demonstration was also held at Parliament and a second one was held just recently following the vagary that took place at the Johor district.
Given the severity of the atrocities perpetrated against street animals, especially dogs, it would be wise to have a ‘good cop bad cop’ strategy as opposed to mass rabble rousing and scream fests involving everyone.
Operators of established shelters and longtime seasoned rescuers, who are known to the relevant authorities, must keep out of the mayhem and instead engage the local councils respectfully to establish camaraderie in order to pave a path to negotiate a win-win situation for all.
Leave the screaming and protests to the newbies and those who do not actively rescue or run shelters.
Those who have shelters, must also ensure their premises are clean and the dogs there happy and healthy, especially when the councils pay a social visit to discuss what can be done for street dogs under their jurisdiction.
It would not augur well if the councils find the condition of the shelters, they are visiting, is just as bad or even worse than their sad and tragic pounds.
And to stop the unnecessary catching and killing in favour of the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) method of stray management, putting the DVS and local councils on the defensive with threats and allegations is certainly not the way forward.
Instead, efforts must made to extend an olive branch to the councils to initiate a working partnership like what the Penang-based Independent Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA Penang) has embarked on with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
IAPWA Penang traps, neuters and releases street animals on the island and because of this the catching and culling has stopped.
The MBPP has also provided IAPWA a pound to carry out the activities and for once a local council pound is a conduit of hope instead of one reeking of misery and death.
Please emulate IAPWA by initiating friendly negotiations as opposed to adopting a belligerent stance.
Because when push comes to shove, the councils may initiate a miscalculated move of intensifying dog catching activities and cite public safety and health as an excuse without realizing the trouble they will land into, yet again, for arousing public anger.
But by then, the harm would have been done with many defenseless and pitiful dogs and puppies falling prey and facing intense suffering.
And finally, everyone involved must remember that what they are doing is geared towards ensuring street animals are better treated and given a chance to live out their natural lives in peace and not about who is seen or heard the most.
ends
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1059845539517303&set..
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