Lee feeds about 15 stray dogs in four locations in Selayang on a daily basis. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
FEEDERS should be responsible for the animals they feed and practise the trap, neuter, release and manage method, says Melissa Lee.
“It is fair for the authorities to require feeders to be responsible for these animals.
“I think feeders should clean up after the feeding session.
“I wash the place after feeding the dogs.
“Spaying and neutering is important, otherwise the stray population will multiply,” said Lee, who has been feeding strays for eight years.
“I feed 15 stray dogs in four locations in Selayang where I live.
“I feed them daily at the same time unless it rains, then I will go later.
“It is not easy to feed strays. We need to gain their trust.
“Only when they are comfortable will they allow us to take them to the veterinarian to be spayed and neutered,” she said.
Another dog feeder, who wished to be known only as Anna from Bukit Beruntung, said cost was a major factor if feeders were required to spay the animals they fed.
Anna said she would consider spaying strays if she had support from the local community, as the cost was high.
“I am living on my savings as I do not work and am also sickly.
“I have been feeding the dogs in front of my house for about eight years.
“My late husband initiated the feeding and I am continuing what he started.
“I have seen other feeders who drive around the neighbourhood and feed the stray dogs as well,” she said.
M. Shyam Priah said licensed pet owners also needed to be responsible in carrying out the spaying and neutering process.
“Any regulation on feeders needs to be well thought out.
“I notice there is poor understanding of responsible pet ownership in my neighbourhood.
“Owners with male dogs do not neuter them and let them out at night.
“These pets impregnate female stray dogs.
“The population of strays can never be controlled if this continues.
“The dogs can travel up to 5km and impregnate dogs from other neighbourhoods,” she said.
Shyam said that to prevent this, local councils must review existing regulations for pet owners.
“We can emulate countries like Turkiye, which has managed to resolve the stray issue through neutering and spaying.
“Removing dogs from an area will not solve the problem.
“The right thing to do is to spay and send them back to the same place,” she added.
Shyam, a pet owner herself, said the authorities must list down relevant stakeholders.
“Vets, dog rescuers and the public are stakeholders and the authorities need to work with them to execute programmes effectively,” she said.
