MBPJ and NGOs will together decide on the best stray animal practices to manage the dog population. - Filepic
PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) wants to implement the trap, neuter, release and manage (TNRM) method to control the stray dog population in the city with compassion and dignity.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Azhan Md Amir said the council was also working with non-governmental organisations to rehabilitate aggressive canines after the trap and neuter processes.
“Recently MBPJ met 26 NGOs to discuss the best stray animal practices to improve animal welfare.
“The trap, neuter, release and management of strays with help from the NGOs and public is the most compassionate way to go,” he said.
“If the dogs are aggressive, we will need to tame them through certain training methods,” he said after chairing the full board meeting.
Citing Penang as an example, councillor Nalina Nair said at the meeting that Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had public health officers follow the enforcement officers during dog catching operations to keep the public calm and the situation under control.
“This enables the dog catchers to carry out their duty without disruption and in a calm manner,” she said.
She added that MBPP also used nets to capture the dogs instead of the more criticised looping method which could injure the animals.
Nalina said MBPP’s Wild and Abandoned Dog Control Centre in Sungai Pinang was the gold standard as all dogs caught were kept in 60 individual kennels.
All costs for the dogs are borne by the Independent Aid For Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang, which also manages the place.
“Every dog caught is spayed and neutered, vaccinated and is treated based on their medical needs,” said Nalina.
“The entire process is documented as well.
“Dogs that are nursing are separated from the pack to prevent the spread of diseases.
“Most local councils in the country do not do this.
“These processes are important,” she stressed.
Nalina said there were also policies in place by MBPP and IAPWA to manage aggressive stray dogs.
“The more aggressive dogs are sent for rehabilitation.
“They are also given antidepressants and are trained to socialise in a safe and controlled environment. The dog will only be released when it no longer pose a danger.
“If it cannot be trained it will be sent to a shelter,” she elaborated.
Nalina said the stray population would not drop overnight but would require long-term work between seven and 13 years before results could be seen.
“However, this is the best and most humane solution to control the stray population,” she said.
PAWS Animal Welfare Society told StarMetro that the TNRM method was a merciful way to control the population of strays, but wild dogs must be kept away from the public as they could be dangerous.
PAWS public relations officer Jonathan Yeoh said: “Public security is important and for TNRM to be successful, a lot of public support is required.
“Otherwise people will turn against it too.”
