Stray dogs have been a menace and always will be! Sure, its a harsh statement but we can never deny that part of it is true. I would have said 'Fine' if a stray dog was to be put down when I was younger. They were like 'little monsters' in my eyes ! Many of us look at the dark of stray dogs based on experiences and events that occur around us. Once we've established that, it becomes a clear sign of what we MUST do : KILL THEM !!
Let's take a look at a few 'reasons' why we hate stray dogs :
1. Strays carry diseases : rabies
2. Strays suddenly begin to act aggressive and attacks little children
& the elderly
3. The ultimate : Strays can cause a person's life. They KILL.
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In Kashmir, stray dogs have become a threat to humans. Officials plan on eradicating stray dogs through poisoning or just shooting. Are these methods acceptable when it comes to putting them down?
The Situation in Penang
My Question is : Do dogs in Penang pose the same threats as I've mentioned earlier on? How far are we willing to use different methods in killing them? I personally think poisoning and shooting are the most inhumane methods of killing them, even so if the dog has injured or killed a human being. Euthanizing each dog via injection can be an expensive method but can we actually offer each stray dog that option?
What Penangite Stray Dog's Do :
- Disruption of rubbish near residential areas
- Noise pollution
- Attack and hurting people
- Causing a construction breakdown or power failure
Yes, they're harmful but there are ways to stop them. Even the thought of poisoning a dog because he or she has caused unrest to a residential area is very questionable.
However, there is the other side to this story : Malaysians have double standards when it comes to cat and dogs, in this case stray cats and dogs! A stray dog is like a parasite rather than a stray cat. Why, who and how do we make assumptions like this? Stray cats have diseases and threats as well.
So what are your views on methods of killing stray dogs and why do Malaysians have this bad perception on stray dogs?
So what are your views on methods of killing stray dogs and why do Malaysians have this bad perception on stray dogs?
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| Photo by Maria Aloysius : Stray Dog in USM near the School of Languages Bus Stop |
Maria, I read your blog with interest as I have had and still have dogs as pets. The plight of an unwanted dog or pets in Malaysia or even Asia as you described is a very sad one.I am of the opinion that we humans are the primary cause of this problem as from my observation not many dogs are nutered. Many dogs are simply abandoned when family life changes direction.We can't blame stray dog for all the ills as they, putting it bluntly have very little choice of thier situation. I agree that stray numbers have to be controlled. By the way, I come from Penang but have been in Australia since 1971. My wife and I have had several dogs over the last 25+ years and they have all come from animal pounds. Some have been abandoned or lost. OUr present dogs were lost (unclaimed) and surrendered.
ReplyDeleteStray dogs in Victoria are treated quite differently than strays in Malaysia. Firstly, there are two types of strays - born as strays or being abandoned. The third catergory are surrendered dogs (not strictly strays). These dogs are surrendered to animal shelters or Municipal pounds.
These animal shelters assess each dog they recieve for re homing, training or to be put down. Intelligent dogs are selected to become service dogs - such as assistance dogs, hearing dogs, sniffer dogs etc. The next, usually good socialised dogs are selected for re-homing. They are de sexed, vaccinated, microchipped before taken over by any new owner. Potential owners however have to first fill out an adoption form and are assess to see if the potential owner is suitable for the dog (not the other way around!)There is an an adoption cost - around AUS$120 to AUS$400 depending on the bread, agd age of the dog. Re-homing is a good way of reducing the number of unwanted dogs.
Dogs in poor health or not socialised are humanely put down. I know that Mucicipal Councils here in Victoria are mandated to euthanise uncliamed dogs at their cost. Animal Shelters depend on charity , sponsorhips to temporarily house dogs and also to put down unwanted or unclaimed dogs.
I'm not sure whether there are organised annimal shelters in Penang who actively reach out to help the unwanted dogs. I wonder if the City Council in Penang has an active Local Laws arm and vet to deal specifically with strays. I'm not for shooting strays for obvious reasons. Surely the good people of Penang can put thier hand in thier pocket and donate some of thier spare cash to assist in the humane reduction of the number of strays.
Ian de Bruyne
Warragul
Victoria
Australia
Hi Ian,
DeleteThanks for the comment. Yes, I would like to promote this awareness so that people here and everywhere know how we treat stray dogs.By the way, the City Council here are doing a great job in tackling this problem. However, I would like to educate & change the perception of people here about stray dogs.
I started this blog as part of my cyber project for my university. I need to create a social movement through my blog. So, next week I will be hosting up an online petition so that people can particapte in my social movement as well as make a difference. I would appreciate it if you could support my blog and petition. Feel free to share my address with other people.
Have a great day !
yes, I agree stray cats too spread diseases..Stray dogs dun eat from our plates. It is us who leave the plate behind instead of putting it in the bin provided. Stray cats needs more attention on disease spreading. Of course we care but Who wanna share a same plate with animals?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Sure, they do. Stray dogs should be treated with respect.
Yes your project is very suitabla for present.Thanka you for your remeberance.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteThanks for the comments. Please free to sign the petition to stop and report abuse of stray dogs at this address :
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-report-abuse-of-stray-dogs/
Just leave your name and email. Thanks.
what a usefull blog this is......we have to think more....
ReplyDeleteJude