PROTEST THE CRUELTY OF OUR COUNCILS!

THE PROTEST

There will be a peaceful gathering at the DBKL pound in Setapak THIS WEEKEND to protest against this case. The media has been alerted too.

DATE: Saturday, 7th February 2009

TIME: 11:00am

VENUE:Pusat Kurungan Haiwan DBKL / DBKL Health Department Pound

Off Jalan Air Jerneh Kampung Air Kuning

Air Panas, Setapak

53300 Kuala Lumpur

Google map is available at http://tinyurl.com/dbklpound

*****************

The number of emails in my inbox over the last 2 days has been quite crazy...

I wish I could have responded sooner, but in any case most of you would have known by now that TV3 aired a damning revelation on it's programme 360 on Wednesday night.

For those of you who missed the programme, here's a snippet of it (see 01:18 - 05:00). Note that the dog is still breathing at 04:54...

Also see the article by Malay Mail regarding the issue.



I am not terribly surprised regarding the content of the programme - as I have had to deal with our local councils before - and the experience was not pleasant. See my previous posts here and also for first hand accounts from me on THE HELLISH CONDITIONS in the pounds.

What I am surprised is that this took place in the Setapak pound, where SPCA has a permanent station and neutering clinic. So what I would like to know is how can all this cruelty take place right under the noses of the SPCA?

In any case I need to say kudos to TV3 for revealing the truth, and I would also like to inform everyone that there will be a peaceful protest against the council this Saturday. Please spread the word, and remember every little counts.

A concerned and distressed Natasha

The Councils are at it again...

Hi all...

Another quick note...

I would like to urge everyone to once again write in to the press and voice your concern for the animals, esp in relation to my previous post... Here's a list of addresses that you can write to. Please remember to include your name and contact details. If you wish to remain anonymus, indicate that in your letter.

editor@thestar.com.my
letters@nstp.com.my
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
editor@malaysiakini.com
editorial@sinchew.com.my
bhnews@bharian.com.my
news@nstp.com.my
metro@thestar.com.my
pengarang@utusan.com
editor@nanyang.com.my
tcpb@po.jaring.my
mmnews@nstp.com.my
am@hmetro.com.my
gmkl@guangming.com.my
bgns@bernama.com

Thanks guys...

MPSJ's STUPID PICK UP SERVICE FOR UNWANTED DOGS!

ANOTHER RIDICULOUS PLAN BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CURB THE STRAY POPULATION!!!

I am beginning to think that our local councils are headed by inept and unqualified people.

Recently the Selayang Local Council launched a ridiculous and inhumane dog catching competition.

See Stop Dog Catching Competition

Thankfully this barbaric competition was stopped due to incredible pressure by various NGOs and a bunch of animal lovers, i.e. the Coalition of Animal Lovers Malaysia.

Today, the Malay Mail highlighted yet another poorly thought out plan by another local council. This time it is the Subang Jaya Council.

The Council, in its bid to reduce the stray dog population has decided that it will pick up unwanted dogs from their owners. There is no mention of what happens to the dogs that are picked up. Will the council put them up for adoption or will these poor dogs be put to sleep just because their owners decided that they are no longer wanted. If they are put to sleep, how will they be put to sleep? Will the Council use humane methods?

How on earth is this going to reduce the stray population I don't know, as it has been proven by many studies in America and other developed countries, that the only way of reducing the stray population of dogs and cats is spaying / neutering... For as long as there are un-neutered animals, there will be new litters of kittens and puppies.

The only thing I see coming out of this stupid move is more irresponsible pet owners. This will be a perfect avenue for irresponsible owners to get rid of their pets as and when they like. Therefore, this means sick pets or aged pets can be easily disposed off by their owners to make way for new healthy pets. This is certainly not the type of mentality that we want to encourage. For when people start treating their pets as they would a toy, it won't be long before they start treating humans the same way.

If we allow people to dump their sick and aged pets now, what is there to stop them from dumping their sick and aged parents later???

The council should instead impose fines on people who decide to "dump" their pets. They should also ban people who "dump" their pets from ever owning pets in the future. They should carry out campaigns on the benefits of spaying / neutering and responsible pet ownership, like that carried out by the Selayang Council on Nov 10, 2007.

I am urging MPSJ to review their plan, as this will not reduce the stray dog population in the long term. This is merely a short term remedy to the problem.

**********************

Extracted from The Malay Mail, Nov 13 2007
Pick-up service for unwanted dogs

DON’T turn your dogs out into the streets and reduce them to stray. Instead, call the Subang Jaya Municipal Council for help. In its bid to reduce the stray dog population in the municipality, MPSJ is offering a pick-up service for owners who no longer want their dogs.

MPSJ public relations assistant director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said this is to curb the number of stray dogs in Subang Jaya. The council had carried out scheduled dog-catching operations, focusing on dif- ferent areas at a time. Yesterday, MPSJ’s operations focused on Taman Batu 3, Taman Intan, Taman Pinggiran Subang and Taman Subang Mas.

Azfarizal said by focusing on certain areas, the chances of gathering more dogs were higher as opposed to holding blanket operations throughout the municipality.

To date, MPSJ had netted 79 strays. Yesterday’s operation, which started at 6.30am, focused on nabbing the stray dogs while attending to complaints by residents.

Azfarizal said last year, MPSJ received 834 com- plaints on stray dogs, while 504 complaints were recorded this year.

He said, in Subang Jaya, only two dogs are allowed for a residence measuring under 1,000 sq ft, while larger residences are allowed to have three. “Residents are advised to neuter or spay their dogs,” he said, adding that 15 staff were involved in the operation with help from three private companies.

Those residents who claimed that the dogs caught are theirs, have to come to the council to claim the dogs. The dogs will be kept in MPSJ’s impound in Puchong for three days before being ‘put to sleep’.

DEMOCRACY - MALAYSIAN STYLE...

My recent encounter with the Selayang Local Government was quite an eye opener. For those of you who have been reading about the horrors that were happening in Selayang, you would know what I am talking about. For those who haven't a clue, please take a look at some of my older posts...

See Stop Dog Catching Competition

However, nothing could prepare me for the outrageous events that unfolded yesterday. But what was even more unacceptable was the fact that our main stream local media painted a very different picture of what really happened.

A peaceful rally, called the BERSIH rally, was organised by a number of NGOs and some Opposition parties. They wanted to submit a memorandum to the King, calling for Electoral reforms. The rally turned ugly when police took harsh actions against hundreds of rally participants - this included firing tear gas and apparently chemically laced water too. I am unable to provide a personal account of the events as I was not personally there. I leave it to you to decide on the objectivity of the reporting.

Here are some interesting links:

Al-Jazeera News - (International)



Al-Jazeera also interviewed the Minister of Information who defended police action against the BERSIH rally goers... This video is a must watch... makes you question the comptenecy of this country's leaders. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfpYZ4IGenY

See also

Screenshots by Jeff Ooi
Malaysia Kini
NTV7 (Mainstream media)

Links from Jeff Ooi's website:

Malaysian police fire tear gas, water cannon on protesters demanding electoral reforms - International Harald Tribune, UKhttp://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/10/asia/AS-GEN-Malaysia-Election-Rally.php

Police fire tear gas to break up anti-government rally - The Independence, UKhttp://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article252839.ece

Malaysian police fire tear gas, water cannon on protesters demanding electoral reforms - The Jakarta Posthttp://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20071110162747&irec=0
Malaysian police fire tear gas, water cannon on protesters demanding electoral reforms -

Taiwan News Onlinehttp://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=556091&lang=eng_news&cate_img=83.jpg&cate_rss=news_Politics

Malaysians hold huge rally for free elections - The Bangkok Posthttp://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breaking_previous.php#

Malaysia police turn water cannon on protesters - Canada.onlinehttp://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=aedddd89-ec88-4c4c-bb08-fccaaf5d8d0b&k=37087

Malaysia police turn water cannon on protesters –Yahoo Newshttp://nz.news.yahoo.com/071110/5/2d9f.html

Malaysia police turn water cannon on protesters – Africa

Reutershttp://africa.reuters.com/world/news/usnSP165982.html

Police turn water cannons on protesters – The

Australianhttp://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22736771-12377,00.html

Malaysia police turn water cannon on protesters – The China

Dailyhttp://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-11/10/content_6245493.htm

Malaysia Police Turn Water Cannon on Protesters - Javno

Croatiahttp://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=96947

HELLISH CONDITIONS IN SELAYANG POUND

Evie, Shenaaz and I visited the Selayang Pound again with the SPCA yesterday, 2nd October 2007. The conditions were as hellish as ever. I don't think that I can brave another visit, although I know I probably would have to.

I have loads of pictures from this trip, but have yet to upload all of them. It's breaking my heart to have look at the pictures. I have managed to put some on my Facebook account. Click here to view them.

Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

A wounded dog that has not been treated

This boy was completely drenched

The cages were somewhat cleaner than on Monday, as we arrived just after the floors were washed. Bear in mind that the dogs are not removed from the cages when the floors are washed. So most dogs either get wet from being hosed down or will get wet from having to lie in the water. One dog was completely drenched - I couldn't understand why.

Dangerous metal bits on the inside of the cages...

I am also unsure why there were dangerous bits of metal fencing that were left on the insides of some of the cages. These could easily cause injury to the dogs - but maybe that's what the bits of metal was for...

This time we noted that the dogs did not have any shade from the sun, as I had suspected from my first visit. The cages provided minimal shelter from the afternoon sun. The sun was shining directly into the cages. This also means that when it rains heavily or storms (as it often does in Malaysia), these poor dogs would be drenched to the bone.

2 puppies that were together with the adults. 1 is skeletal while the other is suffering from a severe eye infection. He was unable to open his eyes the entire duration that we were there.

The 3 cages donated by the SPCA were not utilised. We had wanted to transfer the puppies into the cages ourselves on Monday but we were not allowed to. The Health Inspector told us that it would be done.

There were 2 puppies that were isolated. But their cage was left in the baking sun with no shade at all. Alan of SPCA had to rummage through some stuff at the pound before managing to find a tray to try and shield them from the sun.

This puppy is desperately trying to get at the soggy food on the floor

These puppies were fed while we were there. A large amount of food was given in a plastic plate which the pups tipped over. All the food slipped through the cage and onto the floor. They were unable to eat any of it. And one of the workers proceeded to wash the floor right where the puppies were at this time. The food became obviously became wet.A fight between the two of them also broke out...



After some time, we managed to persuade them to let the puppies out so that they could eat the soggy food.

The seventh cage that was used to store random things instead of easing the congestion in the other cages. There's plenty of space elsewhere for these things...

The cats were in a slightly better condition. But their water was full of sand, and there were 3 dead foetuses in the shelter. The tabby that had given birth to them was still in labour. She was in the midst of delivering another kitten. We asked if the vet had come to look at her. The answer was no. We asked if the vet will be able to come. We were not given a straight answer.

This dog with the wound has yet to be treated although the Health Inspector was already notified of his condition on Monday.

One of the workers accidentally let slip that the vet only comes once a month. He was quickly reprimanded by the other, in Tamil - of which I could understand a few words. The first worker then corrected himself and told us that the vet comes once a fortnight. This was interesting news to us whichever the case is... for MPS had announced that the vet visited every week.

I just cannot understand how people can be so heartless. I just can't...

See related posts:
Horror of Horrors
MPS Pound in Acceptable Conditions?
Fishy Things Going on in MPS Dog Pound
Heartbreaking Conditions at the MPS Dog Pound

HEARTBREAKING CONDITIONS AT SELAYANG DOG POUND

I have just returned from a trip to the Selayang Dog Pound. I went together with Joanne and Leigh at the invitation of the SPCA. The conditions at the pound were horrible in my opinion.

The dogs were in a terrible condition, physically and emotionally. All the dogs were filthy, alot of them were sick and were shivering terribly, a number of them had wounds and sores, and almost all of them were very very thin. There was faeces in the cages, and some pans of water were undrinkable as it had urine in them.

There was no food anywhere today, and I suspect that they were all very hungry too. The congestion in the cages caused fights to break out - a few happened while we were there. But what struck me most was the fear that emanated from them when we arrived. It makes me wonder what these dogs are subjected to on a daily basis at the pound.

The dogs only calmed down after about 10 minutes when they realised that we were not going to harm them. Quite a few of them were very friendly and were starved for affection. We knew immediately that these were not strays per se, but were dogs that had homes and owners who loved them.

It is most unfortunate that they had to end up in this pound, where all that awaits them is impending death, and a horrible one at that.

1. The dog shelter - note that in the event of heavy rain or a storm all the dogs would be completely drenched!
2. A pen with a cow and cow-dung everywhere just opposite the cages where the dogs are


3. A small white dog that was very friendly and starved for affection


4. One of the dogs that had sores on his skin
5. This was another friendly dog that was pleading for us to take him away.


6. These dogs were terrified of us initially and are quite sickly. They were shivering and were lying down all the time.
7. This white dog had a severe maggot wound on his right hind leg. He has not been treated for a whole week. SPCA had already notified MPS of his condition when they visited last week. Note the faeces all over the place.


8. This poor boy was caught with a huge padlock and a heavy chain. MPS did not remove this from him.
9. This girl cannot even get a drink cause the water dish was full or urine.


10. This boy was foaming at the mouth


11. Note the faeces on the floor of this cage too


12. Another friendly doggie. Note the faeces on the ground
13. Two puppies isolated from the rest with no food.


14. The very cramped conditions in the cages, and almost all the dogs were sick


15. Two very sick puppies
16. Sick dogs that were shivering away in the middle of the day







Here is a chronology of what happened at the pound today:

1330 SPCA's Alan Hor and Cunera Kimlon, and I arrived at the pound. We were told that the caretaker had gone out for lunch and would only be back at about 1430hrs

1345 We went to a nearby stall for lunch

1415 We returned to the pound. Joanne and Leigh had also arrived by this time. We were not allowed entry into the pound although the MPS were aware that the SPCA would be making a visit to the pound today to check on the conditions of the dogs as well as to donate 3 cages to the council.

1425 A Cik Nazmeen from MPS arrives. She informed us that we were not allowed into the pound. No reason was given except that this was the instructions that she received.

1450 We were finally allowed to enter the pound. All of us walked into the pound while the SPCA truck drove in. The dogs started barking and howling in fear. As we approached them we saw that they were all so frightened and were crouching at the back of the cages.

What struck me most was the stench that was emanating from the pound. I suffer from severe sinusitis and can't smell a thing usually. But one can only imagine how terrible the smell must have been for to have been able to complain that it was bad.

The first thing that I noted was the presence of a cow in a pen, with cow-dung all over the pen. Wasn't quite sure why the cow was there though.

We were told that Vet Fine (M) Sdn Bhd makes two trips to the pound each day, once at about 10am in the morning and another at about 3 or 4 pm in the evening.

We counted 45 dogs in total (5 of which were puppies). 1 puppy was running loose in the area, while 2 others were in a small cage away from the main cages. There were 7 large cages in total but only 6 were used, while the 7th was used to store some stuff.

The dogs were in appalling conditions. There was one dog with a heavy chain and a padlock on his neck. He was caught that way and left that way. Another dog was foaming at the mouth and we suspect that he may have distemper. Some of the dogs had large ticks on them, and the puppies were sickly and grossly thin. Other dogs had wounds and sores and were shivering. They probably had caught colds from the being hosed down with water twice a day by MPS personnel.

Due to the congestion in the cages, a few dog fights broke out while we were there. I cannot imagine what it's like during feeding times, assuming they are fed at all.

There was faeces everywhere, and most of it was runny with mucus, which meant that a large number of these dogs were seriously ill. Some of the dogs had faeces on their fur or had to stand or lie in the faeces and urine as there was nowhere else to stand.

1530 Joanne & Leigh left.

1550 Alan Hor, Cunera and I left. Vet Fine didn't show.


All in all this was a terrible afternoon for me... I cannot understand how our local authorities can have so many stipulations for 'acceptable living conditions' for people who would like to own dogs, when they cannot even provide the most basic level of care and shelter for the dogs that they have either caught or confiscated.

FISHY THINGS GOING ON AT MPS

I have just received this report from the SPCA regarding their second visit to the MPS Dog Pound last Friday:

1200 SPCA staff went to the pound, but the door was locked.

1310 The door was still locked.

1445 A VetFine (hired contractors by MPS to catch dogs)van came and waited at the pound.

1500 More SPCA staff arrived, Joanne left.

1515 The pound was opened by 2 MPS kennel personnel. The VetFine van drove in.

1520 Vetfine staff unloaded 3 dogs into the kennels. Then they loaded 12 dogs alive into their
van. When asked, they said that the dogs were to be taken to Kuala Selangor to be euthanised and disposed on the spot. When queried why the dogs cannot be euthanised immediately at the pound, no one could provide any answers.

1530 Vetfine van sped off quickly. SPCA staff unable to follow. SPCA also took back 6 puppies for rehoming.


Some important things to note:
1. Vetfine is the hired dog catching contractor of MPS
2. All dogs are supposed to be euthanised at the MPS Pound under the supervision of the pound's vet. So why were 12 dogs taken away alive by VetFine?
3. VetFine are the same people that have been accused of brutally killing 5 dogs in the Ampang Jaya Area.
4. The MPS Dog Pound is in a deplorable condition

I am once again pleading to all of you to help make a difference for these dogs. Please write in to the press, to the Prime Minister, to the political parties and to animal rights organisations around the world.

See previous post for a list of addresses you can write to. Please let me know if you have addresses of other relevant authorities or organisations. You can email me at cleo@cleopatrathelabrador.com

MPS POUND IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION??? !!!

I am once again shocked with a report in the newspapers regarding animal welfare. The Malay Mail highlighted today, that the condition of the MPS pound was acceptable - see article attached below. I would like to know what exactly constitutes as acceptable???

Based on the pictures that were taken by the SPCA when they visited the pound on Friday, 21st Sept 2007, I hardly think that the conditions of the pound are acceptable for any dog. See my previous post for pictures of the appaling conditions of the MPS Pound.

Once again I am left speechless... If this nation deems that such horrific conditions are acceptable for our dogs, then I cannot imagine what would be construed as unacceptable.

**********************************

SPCA to work closely with council By DAWN CHAN
extracted from The Malay Mail, 26 Sept 2007

THE dog pound has been found to be in acceptable condition but there is still room for improvement.That is the verdict by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chairman Christine Chin on Selayang Municipal Council’s dog pound in Bandar Baru Selayang.

Chin, accompanied by SPCA coordinator Dr Natasha Lee, visited the pound last week under the SPCA’s MissionHELP: Selayang campaign.The campaign was launched after SPCA and MPS agreed to work together to eradicate the stray-dog menace, following the scrapping of the council’s dog-catching competition two weeks ago.

Chin suggested that MPS add more kennels to accommodate the number of dogs that were captured, and to isolate sick dogs as well as separating puppies from adult dogs.In addition, she recommended that MPS immediately euthanise dogs that are very sick.“Suitable dogs will be chosen and rehabilitated at the SPCA animal sheter, then suitable homes found in the first phase of our campaign.

However, we also hope dogs can be re-homed through the pound itself,” said Chin.

Chin said SPCA was happy to hear of MPS’s interest in setting up a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, or Klinik Kembiri.“As the setting up of a Klinik Kembiri requires the approval of the Veterinary Services Department, we will bring up the idea when we meet the department director-general, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, tomorrow,” said Chin.

Vowing to work closely with MPS, Chin said that SPCA volunteers, staff and independent pet rescuers are looking forward to organising workshops to promote proper dog-catching techniques, education campaign on responsible pet ownership as well as organising spay days when pet owners can sterilise their pets at a subsidised rate.

The MPS dog-catching competition, which was launched on Sept 4 by Rawang State Assemblyman Datuk Tang See Hang to curb the stray-dog menace, was scrapped 10 days later, following strong objections from animal rights activists and animal lovers.

HORROR OF HORRORS...

IS THE DOG CATCHING COMPETITION STILL ON???

As at 4.30pm today - 24 Sept 2007,
Details of the Competition are still available here
Click here for Video Footage of MPS Man Assaulting Animal Lover
See SideBar for links to articles in the news on this issue

**********************************

Adopt a Pet

JESSE, A 6 YEAR OLD YELLOW LABRADOR

MISHKA, YOUNG MALE CAT

**********************************

Just as we thought we could breathe a small sigh of relief with MPS announcing that it had called off the Dog Catching Competition, another local council is now under fire for intolerable cruelty towards the strays that are caught by it's contractors. This time it is the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

Last week, a witness reported that 5 dogs were brutally tortured before being beaten to death by dog catchers that were contracted by the MPAJ. The dogs were tortured in the Indian Cemetery in Ampang Jaya. But by the time the SPCA was contacted and the relevant authorities arrived, it was too late, and all that was left were blood stains.

I am at a loss for words for now... I would just like to urge everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious looking vehicles (usually white vans) with dogs in tow in the Ampang Jaya area. If you see these vehicles, please call the SPCA immediately at 03-4256 5312 or at 03-42535179. Do not approach these people on your own as they are deemed to be highly dangerous people. People who are capable of such cruelty towards helpless and defenceless animals would have no qualms of inflicting the same on humans!

*********************************
SPCA says dogs beaten to death, but council denies it
extracted from The Star

AN ORGANISATION has claimed that stray dogs caught on the streets were being beaten to death and their meat sold to exotic food restaurants, China Press reported.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor said Ampang Jaya Municipal Council contractors were found using wooden sticks to beat five stray dogs to death at a cemetery in Ulu Klang recently.

A staff from the organisation said the captured dogs might not have been put down by injection because that would render them unsuitable for human consumption.

The staff said that by beating the dogs to death the animals could then be sold as meat later. However, the council denied any such practice.

Its deputy president Abdul Hamid Hussain said stray dogs caught by contractors would be handed over to the council and put down by injection in the presence of council health officers. He added that council officers would take photos of the stray dogs prior to putting them down. Abdul Hamid said the council had not received any complaint on the matter and urged the organisation to show proof to enable the council to investigate.

*********************************

On another note, the SPCA carried out a visit to the MPS dog pound on Friday, 21st September 2007. They found that the condition of the pound was unacceptable. The pound was overcrowded and the level of care given to the dogs were appalling.

This picture shows the Council's vet euthanising one of the dogs that were caught. We feel that this is an inhumane way of carrying out the procedure.

The following pictures reflect the appaling conditions of the pound.

Nursing mothers and puppies are not separated from the rest of the dogs...

We see a worker hosing down the dogs. Is this what the Council meant by washing the dogs twice a day with anti-germ shampoo as reported in the Malay Mail earlier?

Food is strewn all over the ground and in NOT FIT for consumption!!! Obviously the council feels that this constitutes as feeding the dogs three times a day...

The cramped conditions at the pound which is unhygienic and will lead to disease and eventually death.

I would like to urge all of you to help put a stop to this horrible treatment of our strays by the local council. You can make a difference! Write in to the press, take in a stray, adopt a pet instead of buying one, volunteer at your local animal shelters or independent pet rescue organisations. For a list of addresses to which you can write, click here

The SPCA is also appealing to interested members of the public who are willing to assist in MissionHELP: Selayang to contact SPCA to indicate their area of interest. Please send an e-mail to missionhelp@gmail.com or call the SPCA office at 03-42565312 or 42535179

SPCA's MissionHELP:Selayang outreach campaign. Working closely with MPS, the team of staff, individual animal rescuers and volunteers will organise workshops to train dog-catchers on humane methods of catching dogs, embark on educational campaigns on Responsible Pet Ownership and spaying/ neutering, organise "Spay Days" when residents can have their pets sterilised to prevent them from breeding incessantly. MPS have also expressed interest in setting up a dedicated, low-cost spay-neuter clinic (Klinik Kembiri) in their vicinity.

WHEEL POWER: By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

IS THE DOG CATCHING COMPETITION STILL ON???

As at 10.30am today - 21 Sept 2007,
the MPS website still features the Dog Catching Competition

Click here for Video Footage of MPS Man Assaulting Animal Lover
See SideBar for links to articles in the news on this issue

**********************************

Adopt a Pet
JESSE, A 6 YEAR OLD YELLOW LABRADOR
MISHKA, YOUNG MALE CAT

**********************************

Laudable move
Wheel Power: By ANTHONY THANASAYAN
Extracted from The Star

Animal lovers everywhere were relieved when the Selayang Municipal Council called off its dog catching competition due to pressure from the public.

WHAT a sweet victory it was last Friday for animal-loving Malaysians everywhere. The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), which had been headstrong for the past couple of weeks about its controversial

Members of the public were particularly unhappy that attractive cash prizes were being offered, instead of inculcating positive values about responsible animal ownership and love for animals.
The decision was reached at a meeting held at the MPS headquarters in Bandar Baru Selayang, Selangor. The meeting was attended by representatives of five animal welfare and rights groups. The NGOs were joined by the various representatives of local residents in Selayang, as well as MPS council officials.

The animal rights groups present were the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar), the Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo), and the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Also present was another ad hoc group called the Coalition of Animal Lovers of Malaysia (Calm). Formed immediately after the MPS dog-catching contest, Calm was there to oppose the competition.

As president of Petpositive, I was the only representative in wheelchair among 40 others invited to the meeting.

The moment I arrived at the venue, I was confronted with a set of obstacles, which I had to overcome, before getting into the meeting room. Although there were at least two parking lots for disabled drivers, there was no one whom I could ask for assistance. Some of the officers who passed by did not even bother to ask if I needed help.

There was no way they would not have known I was a disabled person, unless they were blind themselves. Not only is my car plastered with disabled stickers all over, but I was parked in the MPS disabled lot. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to wait long. I was soon joined by my animal rights activist chums who got my wheelchair out of the car and helped me into it in no time.
The meeting was held on the first floor, and I had to be carried up two flights of steps that were steep and dangerous to attend it.

What I couldn’t understand was why the meeting was not held in the wheelchair-friendly newer building which was only a stone’s throw away. After all, it was plain as day that Petpositive had the words “disabled” and “elderly” in it. Or is it because people today still view the world in terms of stereotypes? And that disabled people are only seen in handicapped homes, hospitals or hospices, instead of in offices, shopping centres and the meeting rooms of local council buildings?

Just when I thought I would be locked out of the meeting room, a couple of my animal rights friends did a wonderful thing. N. Surendran, from Roar, and Natasha Fernz, from Calm, went upstairs to the meeting room and argued my case until, lo and behold, the venue was moved to the wheelchair-accessible building next door so that I could attend!

Later, I heard that one or two of the invited guests were peeved with me for making them switch venues. They even remarked that I was being too demanding and that I was expecting the world to treat me “special” because of my handicap. However, the morning ended on an extraordinary note. I left the premises with the good news that stray dogs in Selayang would be treated with respect from now on.

I have learnt a lesson from my animal activist friends, too. Sometimes in life, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It’s called: Standing up for yourself.

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Thanks Anthony for a great article... in light of all that has happened, we would have still fought for you in a heartbeat... This incident really shows the mentality of the people who thought of the dog catching competition in the first place. While I do believe that the stray population has to be curbed, I really hope everyone understands Why the Dog Catching Competition had to stop, and that there are more humane methods of curbing the stray population.

HEAD VILLAGER RASHEED HITS ANIMAL LOVER'S CAMERA

See SideBar for links to articles in the news on this issue
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Adopt a Pet

JESSE, A 6 YEAR OLD YELLOW LABRADOR

MISHKA, YOUNG MALE CAT
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Dear all,

Finally we have converted the video tape to digital format. We apologise for the "captions" on the top of the video... but we are not quite professionals in this area... so we hope you'll bear with the somewhat poor quality. Will try to upload a better version soon...

Will also translate the conversation (as some of it was in Malay) for the benefit of everyone soon)

As there has been so much publicity on this "assault" we felt that it was imperative that we post this video. All of you can now see for yourselves what happened. Ann Nee did not approach Rasheed. He came towards her!!!

Also, I think alot of people do not understand the Legal Definition for the word "Assault". People seem to think that assault only means a violent attack with physical injury as a result. Assault includes both verbal threats and physical threats. So let me give you the legal definition for Common Assault (thanks for the tip Bernie Wernie):

S39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 (UK) provides that an assault is: “any act by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend immediate unlawful violence.”

Webster's New World College Dictionary, provides that an assault is: "an unlawful threat or unsuccessful attempt to do physical harm to another, causing a present fear of immediate harm".

So in this context, even words alone can cause an assault, if that person can apprehend immediate harm! Note that the person need not be “afraid” or to have “actual” fear as long as there is an immediate threat of unlawful violence.

Assault can be defined to include not only violence, but any physical contact with another person without their consent. In this case it is pretty obvious that Ann Nee, Suren and Anthony were assaulted by this Rasheed character.

We also find it incredibly interesting that the YDP of MPS, Zainal Abidin Azim denied even knowing Rasheed Sultan Afshur when contacted by the Malay Mail. This was reported in the Malay Mail on Monday.

Subsequently, a second report on Tuesday in the Malay Mail (which is unfortunately unavailable online at the moment), the MPS admitted that Rasheed was a headman of a nearby village, and had attended the meeting because he was INVITED by the MPS. Then on Wednesday, The Star also confirmed tthat Rasheed was the head villager of Kg Laksamana. Hmmm how interesting...

See related articles for further details and pictures. We leave you to decide whom to believe on what really happened:

Submission of Memorandum & Petition Signatures

Protest at MPS over Dog Hunt reports by independent reporters (here you will note that both Malaysia Kini and The Star highlighted that there was a heckler trying to instigate a fight - he was unidentified at the time, but we subsequently discovered he was a Head Villager)

The Inside Story

Sensationalised news on Assault by MPS Man