A man seen feeding strays in a Petaling Jaya neighbourhood.
FEEDING stray animals is a humane act. However, this should come with a sense of additional responsibility, say two health experts from local authorities.
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Health deputy director Dr Nurnawwar Arpaaii said dog feeders should be held responsible for the animals, just like licensed dog owners.
This should be included in local by-laws, she said at a “Managing Stray Dogs Selangor Forum 2023” organised by MBSJ.
She said construction areas were known for having stray dogs that were fed by workers at the site.
These dogs also play a role to guard the area.
However, when the construction is over, there is no one to feed the dogs and often, the animals become aggressive while looking for food, said Dr Nurnawwar.
She also said some feeders were more interested in making social media content, but that does not help control the stray population in the long term.
“Some feeders are not consistent in providing food daily,” she also noted.
“They may feed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but not on other days.
“This will lead the strays to return to the same location on Thursday and other days but when there is no food, they will then scavenge for it.
“The feeders could take an additional step by also spaying the animals and taking care of them,” she added.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) health inspector Selvarethnam Muniandy said several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would get upset when the authorities catch stray dogs because the NGOs had spent a lot of money to spay them.
“It costs between RM800 and RM1,000 to spay one dog, including transport and medical charges.
“Hence, they get angry when the council catches the strays.
“After looking at it from the feeders’ point, we try to work with them to overcome the issue of aggressive dogs,” he said.
The local council, said Selvarethnam, had a responsibility to act on public complaints and control the stray dog population.
“The feeders are not able to feed all the animals when the stray population is large.
“When strays are not spayed, the dog population will increase.
“When these dogs cannot obtain food easily, they will scavenge.
“Problems arise when their behaviour becomes aggressive.
“Then it becomes the local council’s responsibility to take action,” he pointed out.
Selvarethnam said the city council was fighting a losing battle if the stray dog population could not be managed.
“As for the manner in which stray dogs are caught, the NGOs want us to use only the netting method.
“The responsibility over stray dogs should be incorporated in the by-laws.
“The responsibility lies with the NGOs or people that are feeding the strays.
“Part of the reason for the high number of complaints is due to concerns over rabies.
“If there is an outbreak, it will become very difficult to manage.
“So the issue is not just neutering the dogs, but vaccinating them as well,” Selvarethnam added.
Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Selangor chairperson Christine Chin proposed that responsible feeding of strays be practised here, just like in Singapore.
“In Singapore, feeders must spay and neuter the strays they feed.
“I agree that feeders must also ensure their dogs are treated when sick and are free from disease.
“Feeders should be legal guardians of the dogs they feed.
“By-laws for responsible licensed feeders is a good idea,” said Chin.
She proposed that concerted efforts be taken to spay and neuter strays that were being fed.
“It is a fact that when food sources are readily available, strays become healthier and reproduce at a faster rate.
“Irresponsible feeders who do not spay nor care for their dogs are actually adding to the stray problem,” Chin added.
An animal activist, who did not want to be identified, said local councils should explore citizen-friendly approaches before imposing any harsh law on feeders.
“I think the local council should share the purpose of such a by-law (to put feeders in charge of the animals they feed).
“What problem will this by-law solve? If it is to reduce the number of strays, there are other ways to achieve this.
“If it is to stop feeders dirtying public places, there are existing by-laws for this.
“I urge the local authorities to explore other citizen-friendly ways before introducing this by-law,” said the animal activist.
Former MBPJ councillor and animal activist Sean Oon said many avoided talking about dog poo when it came to strays.
“Those who advocate for the trap-neuter-release-manage approach are not addressing this.
“In rural areas, there is a lot of open space.
“However, in cities and towns, it does pose a problem.
“If feeders consider these strays as theirs, then it is only fair they clean up after their dogs too,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) medical officer Dr Muhammad Firdaus Zainal Abidin said the definition of abandoned dogs (anjing terbiar) were animals with or without licence that were roaming in public spaces.
“The authorities will act upon receiving public complaints if these abandoned dogs are roaming in public spaces and causing problems.
“Mostly, they are found roaming at people’s housing projects (PPR).
“Upon confirmation of a complaint, we will use two methods, which are looping or cage trap.
“Looping is done in public spaces.
“If we cannot catch the dogs after several attempts, we will place a cage.
“In areas such as schools, we will place cages.
“The bait mostly consists of chicken heads,” said Dr Muhammad Firdaus.
Among the common complaints received by DBKL involving dogs with licences were foul odours and the dogs causing a disturbance in the neighbourhood by barking excessively or chasing passers-by.
A man seen feeding strays in a Petaling Jaya neighbourhood.
There is a proposal to compel dog feeders to also take on the responsibility of spaying the strays. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
A stray dog eating food provided by a feeder in Petaling Jaya. -Filepic
Stray dogs taking refuge at a commercial premises. — Filepic.
Stray dogs take shelter under a parked vehicle in Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya.
Dr Nurnawwar says there should be a by-law to compel feeders to be responsible for the animals.
Chin says in Singapore, feeders must spay and neuter the animals they feed.
(From left) Shah Alam City Council Health Department director Norhisham Mohammad, Dr Muhammad Firdaus, Selvarethnam, Klang Municipal Council Health Department director Azmi Muji, Dr Nurnawwar and Kuala Langat Municipal Council health inspector Mohd Yusdi Mohamad at the Forum Pengurusan Anjing Terbiar Selangor 2023 organised by Subang Jaya City Council.
