DOG CATCHING COMPETITION SCRAPPED!!!

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE INSIDE STORY & PICTURES ON WHAT REALLY TRANSPIRED AT MPS TODAY

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BREAKING NEWS Extracted from THE STAR

Selayang dog-catching competition scrapped
By STUART MICHAEL

SELAYANG: The controversial dog catching competition by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) in Selangor which offered prize money up to RM15,000 to the public has been called off.
State exco member Datuk Tang See Hang and MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim said the decision to scrap the competition was made following the huge public outcry, particularly from animal rights groups and pet owners.

Tang, who is also Rawang assemblyman, said the decision also had to do with safety concerns expressed by various groups that ordinary folks and the strays could get injured if the competition went ahead since members of the public are not trained to handle such tasks.

"Today we were enlightened in detail on the problems that could happen if the strays are not managed and handled properly. As a solution, we will work closely with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other animal rights groups to ensure that dogs are handled and caught only by trained personnel.

"We will also be strict on irresponsible pet owners who abandon their dogs by compounding the offenders. MPS would also look into amending the bylaws related to Dog Licensing and Dog Pound (MPS) 2005 to check against cruelty towards dogs,'' he said.

On Wednesday, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo when asked about the raging issue said the state government had no objection to the competition but wanted the prize money reduced.