Govt abandons monkey export plans

Govt abandons monkey export plans

Feb 2, 08 3:25pm

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has abandoned its controversial plan to export monkeys found in urban areas after a majority of them were found to be infected with deadly diseases. According to NST, minister Azmi Khalid said the decision was made after the discovery that about 80 percent of urban monkeys had contracted diseases and were deemed unfit for export. In August last year, the government said it would end a 23-year-old ban on trading monkeys for research and food as well as conducting talks with several countries including Japan for possible export. However, animal rights groups objected and said the monkeys would be sold to laboratories for a profit benefitting the minister instead. Yesterday, Azmi said that about 80 per cent of the 250,000 long-tailed macaques found in urban areas were found to have deadly diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis and Aids. He said the export was to fulfil the demand for exotic meat in a few countries in Asia and in the west. "A study of 2,000 macaques in urban areas conducted several months ago found that 80 per cent of them were infected. "Only 20 per cent were healthy, and of this, only half the number were suitable for export," he said adding that the diseases could possibly spread among the human population. Relocation programmes According to veterinary experts, humans could be infected with diseases carried by the monkeys if there was close contact. Monkeys could also be infected with diseases contracted from humans if the animals licked human spit. Azmi added that the ministry feared that the move to export monkeys would encourage companies to hire agents to seize the monkeys which might lead to uncontrolled hunting of the animal. Veterinary experts have previously called for relocation programmes, reproduction controls and public education to stop residents from feeding or teasing the animals. They also opine that the monkey problem occurred in many major cities throughout the country due to the massive destruction of forests that has pushed the wildlife to seek shelter and food in urban areas. The monkey population in the country is about 700,000, with 250,000 in urban areas. The monkeys usually found at the urban areas include the long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, and the leaf monkey.

Conspiracy to export monkeys for profit: NGO

Conspiracy to export monkeys for profit: NGO

Bede Hong | Oct 19, 07 7:28pm

A wildlife conservation group wants the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to look into alleged business dealings involving a minister and a former director-general where wild monkeys are being exported for profit. The group said the ACA must investigate Environment Minister Azmi Khalid (photo) and former Department of Wildlife and National Parks DG Musa Nordin, who retired last October, for abuse of power. Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar) believes that a company linked to the two is the beneficiary of a export programme created under the guise to trim down the population of long-tailed macaques in Peninsular Malaysia. Roar submitted a memorandum to ACA office in Kuala Lumpur today calling for investigation into the matter. Accompanying the group were DAP and PKR officials. Roar consists of Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (SSPCA), Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for Disabled Association, PKR and Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership. Motivated by profit “We are angry that the animals are being exploited by the very ministry tasked to protect them,” Roar pro-tem chairperson N Surendran told a press conference today. Surendran said ACA should investigate whether a recent lifting of the ban on the export of macaques was motivated by profit. In June, against international convention, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry lifted a 23-year ban on the export of macaques, saying there is an overpopulation of the species. In July, Roar submitted a memorandum to the minister demanding the reinstatement of the ban and a halt on all pending macaque shipments. They also lodged a police report against Azmi and ministry officials for violating Section 92(f) of the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972. The police forwarded the case to the ACA last month, saying it has elements of abuse of power. “We found this very suspicious. All animal rights groups and wildlife experts found it very strange. The question is why the ministry is bent on exporting these monkeys? I will give you the answer right now... money,” said Surendran. “The ministry wants to make money out of it, and the ministry is allowing a private company to make money out of it. The question here is why is the Malaysian environment and natural resources being plundered in order to profit some company,” he said. RM250 for one monkey Surendran referred to a news article published by the Star on Sept 11, where Musa admitted he was “indirectly involved” in the monkey trade. “We have information that the decision to export the monkey when Musa Nordin was still the DG. We have information that there is connection with the company. He has close contacts with the Department of Wildlife. Clearly there was some hanky panky going on there with elements of corruption,” he said. According to Roar, each exported monkey brings in RM250. The macaques are exported, mostly to China, for animal testing and vivisection. Roar alleged that the export contract of over 20,000 monkeys annually was given by the Environment Ministry to a company, Sunny K-9 Sdn Bhd. A check revealed that the company, based in Ipoh, is a dog-training academy. Surendran also disagreed with the Environment Ministry figures that there are over 250,000 monkeys living near urban centres and over 500,000 monkeys living in the jungles. “We question the figures because experts found that it was not possible to calculate the precise number of monkeys through the ministry’s methodology. I feel the figures are grossly over-estimated to justify the lifting of a ban,” said Surendran. Surendran said the ministry should pursue alternative ways to reduce the macaque population including sterilisation, relocation and humane culling.

Animal rights groups protest against dog catching competition

Animal rights groups protest against dog catching competition

Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 07:50am

©The Star by Stuart Michael and Geraldine Jeremiah Photo by Stuart Michael About 50 people comprising representatives from various animal rights organisations and animal lovers went to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) in Bandar Baru Selayang on Monday to pass a memorandum to its president Zainal Abidin Azim. The memorandum called for an immediate end to the dog-catching competition organised by the council. Holding placards that condemned cruelty to animals, the group led by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) chairperson Christine Chin, waited for Zainal to accept the memorandum but since he was on leave, MPS public relations officer Helda Syima Abu Talab accepted it on his behalf. Upon receiving the memorandum, Helda assured the group that it would be handed over to Zainal and a meeting would be arranged soon with SPCA. Despite it being a peaceful gathering, some outsiders were seen shouting insults at the group in order to provoke them, but after delivering the memorandum, the group dispersed quietly. Chin said that apart from requesting for an end to the competition, the memorandum also contained request for highly effective spaying or neuter initiatives and fines against irresponsible pet owners who abandon their pets. “We also want an implementation of a smart, humane and effective legislation to promote responsible pet ownership,'' she said. Apart from Chin, the memorandum was also signed by Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Association president N. Surendran, Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan and Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership president Dr John Satyamoorthy, who were also present at the gathering. Asked about Rawang assemblyman Datuk Tang See Hang's proposed meeting with SPCA, Chin said that she had not received any letter or call from Tang's office about the meeting. Dog handler and professional groomer Noraini Rozaiti Mahamud, 35, when questioned on the issue of the strays posing a threat to residents said that dogs reacted aggressively only when they were threatened and dogs were not likely to attack unprovoked. “This competition would inherently attract over-zealous residents without experience in handling dogs. This could result in someone getting injured and the dogs being blamed and crucified for attacking a person,'' she said. Retired Selayang Hospital head nurse Kamala Chelliah, 57 said that she read about the Dog Catching Competition in the papers and turned up to show her dissatisfaction. Kamala felt that the authorities could come up with a better solution to address this matter.

SALE OF SNAKES - NGOs lodge report against department (Malay Mail)

SALE OF SNAKES - NGOs lodge report against department
by MUZLIZA MUSTAFA (Thursday, 22/3/2007)

A GROUP of non-governmental organisations lodged a police report against the Penang Wildlife Department for cruelty against animals yesterday.

The report was lodged by lawyer N.Surendran, on behalf of the group, at Brickfields police headquarters at 10.50am.

The group comprises Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society, Selangor Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, Malaysians against Death Penalty and Torture, Malaysians Against Animal Assisted Therapy and Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership.

Surendran said the report was lodged following reports that the department had kept 2,400 ‘banded rat’ snakes, which were seized in an operation on March 6 in Batu Maung complex, for several days before selling them to traders.

He claimed the department had breached the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 when it sold the snakes.

“We have no idea if the snakes were fed or given water when they were under the department’s care,” said Nagendran.

He said instead of selling the snakes, the department should release them into the wild, either here or in Thailand, where they were smuggled from.

“The department should not make money from the animals,” he said.

Brickfields police acting chief Superintendent Izany A.

Ghani said the report would be referred to Penang police headquarters for action.

Handling Confiscated Wildlife (WWF Malaysia)

Handling Confiscated Wildlife

There has been a lot of talk lately about the fate of confiscated wildlife and what concerned authorities should do to help ensure the long-term safety and well-being of such animals. Recent news on the 2,400 Banded Rat Snakes that were confiscated by the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN) in the Batu Maung Cargo Complex and sold to licensed snake traders highlights the importance of Malaysia having proper protocols and guidelines in handling such problems.

WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia is of the position that the selling of the said snakes by the state wildlife office to licensed snake traders was not done with the welfare of the animals in mind. The selling to animal traders by the wildlife authorities may be publicly-perceived as an endorsement of illegal animal trapping, smuggling and/or sale, and this is a great concern especially so when it involves partially and/or totally protected species. WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia fear that these 2,400 snakes may now end up being killed for their skins, culinary or medicinal purposes and this would simply be similar to what may have happened to the snakes had they been taken out of the country and not been confiscated.

What could and should have been better was for the Malaysian authorities to send back the snakes to the relevant authorities from where the said snakes originated for possible release back into the environment from which the snakes were originally taken from. That would have been a better solution to the issue, and considering that if Thailand (if that is confirmed scientifically) was where the said snakes came from, it could have most easily been done with minimal cost. There ought to be better procedures in place for our wildlife and customs officials to easily repatriate confiscated animals seized either side of the common border.

Addressing the issue of what to do with confiscated wildlife is not as simple as releasing them back to the wild. There are a whole range of issues that need to be considered prior to any release attempts. If survivals of these animals are the primary concern, then going beyond that simplistic “feel good factor” of having just released back animals to the wild is crucial.

For example, an assessment needs to be made on the short- and long-term impacts of such an action on the ecology of the release area, on humans living in and around such release sites, and on the concerned species themselves. The species’ natural origins, food source, further threats from humans are just some of the many issues that have to be carefully considered when it comes to releasing confiscated wildlife, especially those seized in large numbers.

To use the 2,400 captured Banded Rat Snakes mentioned above as a relevant example, one possible way forward was to have quickly secured the services of a herpetologist, to at least determine, if at all the entire batch was of one species or multiple species, since there are various kinds of rat snakes. The use of molecular technology could have been applied, noting the cost implications, however, to assist in determining the origins of the animals. As there is more than one rat snake species native to Peninsular Malaysia and the region, it would have been reckless to simply release them in territories with populations that are genetically different from their kind. Banded Rat Snakes are a non-poisonous species found in many parts of South and Southeast Asia, and are geographically distributed to as many as 18 countries, including Malaysia. It would have proven useful for concerned authorities to perform a scientific check before making any management decisions on what to do with these animals.

The bigger question to be asked in such circumstances is whether our local authorities do have the necessary resources and human expertise to conduct such intensive assessments and studies.

If concerned authorities were to succumb to popular sentiments and haphazardly release captured animals back to the wild without taking into account the above issues, serious environmental repercussions may arise. The crux of the matter is about ensuring the long-term wellbeing of confiscated wildlife without compromising the viability of other life forms and interrupting the delicate balance of nature.

The sad part is that this problem is not exclusive to snakes but also involves a whole gamut of other wildlife. The above situation only highlights the need for environmental organizations, universities, and scientific institutions and even interested members of the public to work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, through its various agencies, to pool resources and expertise in coming up with workable guidelines in the proper management of confiscated wildlife. We need not start from scratch. There is a body of information that exists on how to manage the release of captive animals and we should be able to follow all the international guidelines and adapt them to our local conditions.

More often than not, large quantities of confiscated wildlife result from heavy demand for exotic meat and animal parts. Thus, the public also has a crucial role to play in putting a stop to such illegal trade by simply boycotting products (including food items and medicinal products) made of endangered animal parts. Members of the public need also be educated and imbued with the necessary commitment to combat illegal wildlife trade by reporting immediately to the relevant authorities if and when they learn of any illegal wildlife trade going on. More stringent laws also need to be put in place. This is some of the things that we need to help lessen the occurrence of confiscated wildlife and ultimately, the many other problems that come along with it.

WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia are willing to assist and help in the developing of proper protocols and guidelines in handling confiscated wildlife in Malaysia, and is always ready to facilitate the getting and/or provide the required resources and skills needed to ensure the proper handling of confiscated wildlife.

Dr Dionysius S.K. Sharma

Executive Director/CEO WWF-Malaysia

&

Dr Mark Auliya

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia

21^st March 2007

Uproar over sale of protected snakes (Malaysiakini)

Uproar over sale of protected snakes

Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Mar 21, 07 3:56pm

Animal rights activists are up in arms over the reported sale of some 2,400 protected snakes to licensed traders by - of all agencies - a state wildlife department. The banded rat snakes, prized for their meat and skin and worth an estimated RM240,000, were seized at the Batu Maung air cargo complex on March 6 by the Penang Wildlife and National Parks Department. The reptiles - which are partially protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 as well as the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) - are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand en route to Hong Kong. (Partial protection allows for trade of the animals concerned, but under strictly controlled provisions.) While having headed off the illicit trade, however, the department may have breached its own regulations when it auctioned the snakes two days later to traders, said the groups. “They are not allowed to sell off protected species as if they are mere merchandise,” lawyer N Surendran citing the Wildlife Act. “Nowhere does the Act authorise the department to sell off wildlife.” He was speaking to reporters this morning after filing a police report at the Brickfields station in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of the organisations. Surendran said the groups believe the snakes have since been sold to local and foreign restaurants. Echoing his statement, treasurer of the pro-tem Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society Abdul Karim Stuart Russell said the department has in effect encouraged trade in the protected species. “It should not have happened, really. After the snakes were caught, they should have been dealt with in a more professional way,” he said. This would include either letting them go in the appropriate manner and location in the wild, or returning them to Thailand for disposal by the relevant authorities, he said. Surendran further said it was ironic that the state wildlife department - tasked with protecting wildlife - may have abetted in committing cruelty to the snakes in view of the known methods by which snakes are gutted alive in restaurants that buy them. He also cited Section 92 of the Wildlife Act, which renders illegal ‘any act of cruelty to wildlife’. Recounting the ‘efficient’ manner in which the snakes were auctioned two days after being seized, Surendran said the groups want the police to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the decision to sell the snakes as well as the sale itself. Selangor chapter chairperson Christine Chin of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urged the police to be impartial in their investigations. ‘Sale allowed’ When contacted, Penang Wildlife Department director Hasnan Yusop denied any breach of regulations, saying the auctioning of partially protected wildlife is provided for under Schedule II of the Wildlife Act as well as Cites’ Appendix II. “Perhaps the groups are just not fully informed of the provisions, as everything was done according to procedure,” said Hasnan. He also the authorities ensure that wildlife species auctioned off to licensed traders do not undergo cruel treatment in the process of preparation in restaurants. This batch of snakes was sold only for the meat, not the skins. “Nowadays, the slaughter of snakes in restaurants occurs (just like) the slaughter of chickens. There’s no difference,” said Hasnan. He explained that the snakes could not be returned to Thailand as it was only suspected that the snakes originated from there. The department, meanwhile, had to dispose of the snakes as soon as possible to prevent them from dying in the containers in which they were kept, especially since “several had died already”. “Releasing them into the wild in Malaysia would not have been the right step because the habitat is not suitable. Even in places where they are found, such as in northern region of Malaysia, their numbers are very small,” he added. “If they died in our possession, then the groups would be blaming for being cruel.”

Seremban dog-shooting incident: Reports lodged against council

Seremban dog-shooting incident: Reports lodged against council
19 Jul 2006
By Devinder Singh


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KUALA LUMPUR: Three police reports were lodged against the Seremban Municipal Council yesterday over the shooting of 13 dogs on June 29.

The reports — from the owner, his sister and animal lovers — urged police to investigate the council’s enforcement officers for their alleged cruelty to the animals.

The owner of the dogs, Ng Her Sun, said the barbaric way in which his dogs were killed had no place in a civilised country like Malaysia.

"We are civilised people and we should act civilised," he said outside the Brickfields police station where the reports were lodged.

"My dogs hid under the bed, they were frightened. The officers were cruel."

Ng, 57, and his sister, Choon Mong, 56, lodged separate reports.

Lawyer N. Surendran also lodged a report on behalf of the Coalition Against Dog Shooting and Other Inhumane Methods (CASIM), urging police to investigate all cases of cruelty to animals by enforcement authorities.

Surendran said shooting of dogs was illegal and the proper way to put the animals down was by injection.

"Not only did they shoot the dogs, they also trespassed on private property and discharged firearms in a residential area," he said.

"To shoot the animals in that manner amounts to cruelty."

Surendran said action could be taken against the enforcement officers and the director of enforcement under Section 44 of the Animals Act 1953 and Section 428 of the Penal Code.

"We expect the enforcement officers to prevent cruelty to animals but here the opposite happened," he said.

CASIM is a coalition made up of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership, Bivai Special Dogs Selangor, Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association, Malaysia Against Death Penalty and Torture, and Paws.

On June 29, a team of MPS enforcement officers entered Ng’s house and shot 13 of his dogs.

Ng, an odd-job worker, lived with his sister and 26 dogs in the house.

The council had said that they had issued Ng numerous warnings to remove the dogs but they were ignored.

The council had also claimed that the dogs attacked several enforcement officers who went to the house to have them removed.

Shooting of 13 dogs: Reports lodged against council

Thursday, July 20 2006

Shooting of 13 dogs: Reports lodged against council
-by NUR AZWA IBRAHIM -
THREE police reports were lodged against the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) yesterday, for shooting 13 dogs in Taman Desa Rasah, Seremban, on June 29.

The reports were lodged at Brickfields police station, led by the dog owner, Ng Her Sun, and his sister, Ng Choon Mong.

The other report was lodged by the Coalition Against Shooting and other Inhumane Methods (Casim).

Casim, made up of of six non-governmental organisations, was led by lawyer N. Surendran, 39.

They claimed the council had committed unlawful acts by breaking into Ng’s house and shooting the dogs inside the compound.

Her Sun, 57, said: “I wanted to give shelter and food to the dogs. What the officers did was cruel. I had to leave with some of the dogs because I feared the officers would kill them all.”

Her sister, Choon Mong, 56, claimed she was dragged out by female enforcement officers against her will.

“I begged them not to shoot my dogs but they ignored me. I heard the dogs howling and they looked frightened. They were not aggressive and were hiding under the beds when the officers shot them,” she said.

Surendran called for reforms to regulations on stray animals and asked for a more humane approach to combat the problem of animal over-population.

“There are other methods, including shooting and using wire loops to catch dogs, which are cruel, inhumane and cause a lot of pain and distress to the animals.

“We want police to investigate and act against the offenders,” he said.

Negri Sembilan PAS commissioner, Dr Rosli Yaakop, who was outside the station, said he supported the decision to lodge reports against the council.

MM says: All dogs go to heaven

Mkini: 'Doggycide': Bar Council's bureau ready to bite

'Doggycide': Bar Council's bureau ready to bite


Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
Jul 7, 06 2:03pm

The Bar Council's legal aid bureau is prepared to take on the Seremban municipal council (MPS) for the killing of 13 dogs in a house recently.

Lawyer N Surendran said the violence with which MPS officers carried out their tasks - including having allegedly broken into Eng Her Sun’s house to shoot the terrified canines - was ‘totally illegal’.

This contravened provisions of the Animal Ordinance Act 1953 against prohibiting unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, he added.

"All the individuals (who committed or abetted in the incident) should be charged for the offence," he told a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with the six-member Coalition Against Dog Shooting and Other Inhumane Methods (Casim).

Casim and other animal welfare groups have been up in arms over the incident last Friday in which MPS enforcement officers had allegedly sawed their way into Eng's house in Taman Desa Rasah before shooting 13 of the 26 stray dogs that he had adopted and given shelter.

Court order

MPS president Abdul Halim Abdul Latif was reported to have said his officers were acting on a court order following complaints from neighbors of the foul stench and disturbance caused by the dogs.

Abdul Halim also claimed Eng, 57 and his dogs had turned aggressive, an allegation that Surendran dismissed.

"That is a total lie.. Some of the dogs were found having squeezed between two cupboards, others were shot while hiding under a mattress," he said.

"The only ones acting aggressive that day were the council officers," he added.

Surendren also said he could only assume that they had gone into Eng’s house on the pretext of a local government by-law pertaining to the control of dogs.

“They said they were acting on a court order following a notice issued six months earlier, but they never showed Eng that court order,” he said.

Surendran's statements were met by murmurs of agreement from the crowd of animal lovers and animal welfare groups that had gathered in the compound of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a member of Casim.

'Animal terrorism'

"I have only one word to describe MPS' actions that day: Terrorism! It was an act of pure animal terrorism!" cried one dog-owner to a resounding applause.

Eng, who was also present at the press conference, accused MPS of high-handedness and excessive violence.

"I'm not the one who is mental. MPS officers are the mental ones!" he said

A veterinarian from Seremban was also present to confirm that Eng (right) had properly cared for his dogs by ensuring their cleanliness, vaccination, spaying, and sterilisation.

Surendran also questioned the legality of MPS officers, who were accompanied by four Veterinary Services Department officials and two police officers, having discharged their firearms in a house within a residential area.

On this point, Casim member Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership's (Marpo) pro-tem president Dr Jon S Satyamoorthy said the Animal Ordinance Act providing for local officials to ‘put down’ on sight dogs was in the context of a by-gone problem.

The law pertains to the problem many decades ago of rabid dogs which had to be shot immediately when identified because of the dangers that they posed to the public, he noted.

"But this problem is no more relevant in 2006 as rabies has since been wiped out," he said.

Humane methods

Casim, meanwhile, called for an immediate ban to shooting and other inhumane methods used in dog-catching, including the use of wires and nylon ropes whereby dogs are almost strangled to death while suffering from the deep cuts inflicted on their necks and bodies.

"The whole shooting massacre, which looked like a bloody crime scene, was a horrendous, cruel and violent act and the Seremban municipal council should have never taken this merciless route," said SPCA chairperson Christine Chin.

Dog catchers should be trained to use humane methods, like nets and tranquillisers while the only acceptable and humane method of putting dogs to sleep is the administration of lethal injection by a veterinarian or other qualified person authorised by the former, she added.

"In times of resistance, a mediator should be sought to diffuse the situation in a humane, effective and considerate manner. SPCA and the other participants of this coalition can assist in this area," she pointed out.

For the long-term, Chin said local municipalities should adopt more a effective and humane mindset and attitude to solve the problem of dog and cat over-population.

Among the concrete steps that can be taken is the establishment of 'humane shelters and pounds' where animals can be kept and re-homed, she suggested.

"This gives the residents a chance to bring in strays and abandoned animals instead of taking them into their own homes and thus creating neighborhood problems," she said.

Chin also urged the establishment of high volume, low-cost neutering clinics where dogs and cats are spayed at reduced rates.

She also called for local governments to emulate the pro-active measures taken by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)in cooperating with the SPCA to establish the Kembiri Clinic, which has over the past three years successfully prevented 2.7 million dog and cat births in the city.

"The coalition is willing to embark on a working committee together with a number of municipalities to provide a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in solving this man-made problem," she said.

Star- Humane way to catch strays sought

Humane way to catch strays sought

KUALA LUMPUR: A new coalition vowing to fight for a humane way to catch dogs and cats has been formed following the recent shooting of 13 dogs by the Seremban Municipal Council.

The Coalition Against Dog Shooting and Other Inhumane Methods (Casim) is endorsed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo) and Bivai Special Dogs Selangor.

Other organisations include Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association, Malaysian Interfaith Network, Pure Life Society, Malaysia Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpat) and PAWS.

Marpo pro tem president Dr Jon Satyamoorthy told a press conference that the coalition wanted all municipalities to adopt a more effective and humane mindset to solve the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

COALITION AGAINST DOG SHOOTING AND OTHER INHUMANE METHODS (CASIM)

MEDIA STATEMENT

COALITION AGAINST DOG SHOOTING AND OTHER INHUMANE METHODS (CASIM)

Endorsed by
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (SPCA)
MALAYSIAN ASSOCIATION FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP (MARPO)
BIVAI SPECIAL DOGS
MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPHY FOR THE DISABLED & ELDERLY ASSOCIATION (PETSPOSITIVE)
MALAYSIANS AGAINST DEATH PENALTY & TORTURE (MADPET)
PAWS

The Coalition believes that compliance with the city council’s by laws is paramount and that neighbours complaints should be taken into consideration. However we deplore the manner in which the operation was conducted . The tragic end to the 13 dogs lives, that were BRUTALLY shot in their homes, have angered many Malaysians and animal carers all over the world.

The whole shooting massacre, which looks like a bloody crime scene, is a HORRENDOUS, CRUEL and VIOLENT act and the Seremban Municipal should have never taken this merciless route. What if children, the disabled or the elderly were shot as they stepped in to protect the dogs and their property? Is this the way Malaysia wants to be portrayed? Are there no other more humane and non-violent solutions that the Seremban Municipal could have resorted to?

Kind and caring Malaysians have stepped forward to feed and give temporary shelter to many abandoned/stray dogs and cats in the hope of rehoming them. Cases like Mr Eng’s show that sometimes love can be misplaced and misguided.Most municipals lack the infrastructure and capacity to assist these animal carers and the problem is compounded. Municipalities should engage and assist the animal carers who regularly take these animals off their streets.

It is indeed an irony that this tragedy occurred in the Year of the Dog. We hope they did not die in vain as this sad and unfortunate incident has propelled the plight of the SILENT CRIES THAT GO LITTLE HEARD by the majority of Malaysians. Excess dogs are considered garbage and any way to clear them off the streets by any contractor that vouches to do that is employed usually with a price tag of RM 35-50 per dog head.

This coalition demands an END to this indifference and discrimination against dogs and the suffering the dogs endure and vigorously proposes the following reforms and humane options:-


A) AN IMMEDIATE BAN TO SHOOTING AND OTHER INHUMANE METHODS USED IN DOG-CATCHING

1. Other inhumane methods used are wires - where animals have been severely cut in their necks and bodies, ropes- where the dogs are almost strangled to death.

2. Dog Catchers be trained to use humane methods like nets and tranquilizers.

3. The only acceptable and humane method is lethal injection administered by a veterinarian or an authorized person supervised by him.

4. In times of resistance, a mediator be sought to diffuse the situation in a humane, effective and considerate manner. SPCA can assist in this area.


B) THE MUNICIPALITIES ADOPT A MORE EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE ORIENTED MINDSET AND ATTITUDE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DOG AND CAT OVERPOPULATION

1. Establish a Humane Shelter and Pound where animals can be kept and rehomed. This gives the residents a chance to bring in strays and abandoned animals instead of taking them into their own homes and thus creating neighbourhood problems. SPCA is able to assist in developing humane procedures and guidelines.

2. Establish a high-volume, low-cost spay neuter clinic like DBKL-SPCA Klinik Kembiri (KK) where dogs and cats are spayed at largely reduced rates of RM90 and RM50 respectively. This has been a huge success as the number of prevented dog and cat births in KL reached an unbelievable 2.7m in the 3 years since KK was established!!! (attached is the statistical evidence).This is the cheapest, smartest and most effective pro-active way to prevent over population of unwanted dogs and cats.

The Coalition is willing to embark on a working committee together with a sizable number of Municipalities to provide a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in solving this MAN MADE problem.

The Coalition urges all animal carers to be Responsible Pet Owners and spay and neuter their pets to prevent pet overpopulation and to be considerate neighbours as well.

6 July 2006

MADPET(19/2/05) STOP ABUSES OF POWER BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

STOP ABUSE OF POWER BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

We are sickened by news report that Simpang Rengam District Council enforcement officers entered a private premise and brutally killed a dog, the family pet, in front of the family. The helpless animal which was a beloved family pet of 6 children was killed with shocking cruelty. Siau Mau, as it was lovingly called by the children was shot and then bludgeoned to death.

We view with grave concern the increasing instances of enforcement officials who abuse their power and easily resort to the use of guns.

In a notorious incident in Penang in mid- January, Yeoh Yew Jin, a 19 year old alleged VCD seller was shot in the chest by enforcement personnel. The shot also injured a 52 year old innocent by-stander having his dinner at a nearby coffee shop.

Despite a public outcry following this incident, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made a poorly reasoned decision to continue to allow enforcement officers to bear firearms.

His decision showed a disturbing lack of sensitivity to the interest and safety of the general public and is inconsistent with his professed people friendly and transparent administration.

We are further shocked that the Simpang Rengam District Council enforcement officers had abused their power by trespassing into a private citizens home and destroying private property.
We call upon the authorities to take swift and stern action against those involved in this shameful incident. There must be no hesitation to charge in court those guilty of wrongdoing for cruelty to an animal, criminal trespass and destruction of private property.

We also call upon the Prime Minister to re-consider his decision to allow enforcement officers to carry arms as it is not certain that they are able to bear this responsibility without endangering the Malaysian public.

N. Surendran
Charles Hector
for Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET)

19th February 2005