Youths call for compassionate solutions amid complaints about street animals
HOMELESS animals, particularly cats and dogs, are often seen in public places.
Given the importance of animal welfare, how should the presence of strays in these settings be addressed?
A recent report in The Star indicated that as of this month, the Johor Baru City Council has received 479 complaints about strays.
Additionally, in the Sep 13 report, some animal lovers claimed that dog-catching exercises by private contractors have increased significantly as councils try to meet quotas or manage their key performance indicators – a move that has resulted in the animals being kept in inhumane conditions, causing deaths or injuries.
In this article, four participants of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme, run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team, share their views on this issue.
For updates on the BRATs programme, visit facebook.com/niebrats.
Finding balance
AS someone who feels uncomfortable around stray animals, whether it’s dogs outside an eatery or cats in a school hall, I understand the unease they can cause.
The presence of strays around young children is especially unsettling, as children may not know how to safely approach or avoid them.
Hygiene is another issue. Strays are often unvaccinated and uncared for, making them more likely to carry parasites or diseases, which can pose health risks.
While these concerns are valid, simply prohibiting animals from public spaces isn’t a sustainable solution.
A ban may provide immediate relief but does not address the root cause: why these animals are on the streets.
Advocating responsible pet ownership is vital. If more people spayed or neutered their pets, the number of strays could be significantly reduced.
Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia offer affordable or free spaying and neutering services. Raising awareness about these initiatives can help decrease the number of strays over time.
Communities can also adopt compassionate measures to manage stray populations. An approach is Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM), which involves collecting stray animals, sterilising them, and returning them to their original areas.
While this may not be a complete solution, it considers both public safety and the welfare of the strays.
There are also ways to manage strays in public spaces to make everyone feel safer.
For example, educational campaigns can teach people how to handle encounters with strays calmly. Knowing how to react can reduce panic and harm.
Designating feeding stations away from public areas can help keep strays from wandering into eateries or schools, while ensuring they receive care.
Ultimately, we can find a balance between ensuring public safety and treating animals kindly.
By promoting responsible pet ownership, supporting TNRM programmes, and encouraging safe interactions between people and animals, we can create a safer space for all, whether they walk on two legs or four. – By GLORIA THOMAS, 23
Yes to humane restrictions
ACCORDING to World Health Organization estimates, nearly 200 million stray dogs and even more stray cats roam the streets globally.
In Malaysia, strays are commonly seen in public areas like food courts. Should these animals be prohibited from such spaces? I believe they should.
Banning animals from public areas can help address several issues, the most prominent being health and safety risks.
Strays can spread diseases and parasites. For example, stray dogs are prone to infectious diseases like parvovirus and distemper, which can spread to other animals, as well as rabies, which poses a threat to both animals and humans.
Strays also create unsanitary conditions in places like restaurants, where cleanliness is paramount.
Additionally, these animals may feel threatened by humans, leading to aggressive behaviour that can escalate into dangerous attacks.
However, while I support prohibiting strays from public spaces, I do not condone violent methods such as slaughter.
A humane ban should be accompanied by compassionate solutions for managing stray populations.
Firstly, prevention is key. Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of animals are abandoned each year globally, making responsible pet ownership crucial. Pet owners must understand the importance of caring for their pets, including training, microchipping, and spaying or neutering them.
Community efforts for animal welfare also play a significant role. Supporting local animal shelters and adoption programmes, as well as fostering initiatives, can provide safe havens for strays.
Furthermore, educating people about the issue and how to solve it empathetically is vital.
Techniques such as Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return are also essential for reducing the number of wandering cats and dogs.
Prohibiting animals from public places protects public well-being, creating a safer environment for both ourselves and the strays. However, we must remain kind while doing so. – By BERTILDA WONG, 15
Outright bans not the answer
WHILE volunteering with animal adoption NGOs, I’ve witnessed the plight of strays.
Many are adoptable but are often left to fend for themselves due to a lack of societal awareness and resources. This situation is worsened by the growing stray population, creating a cycle of neglect.
Although the risks associated with strays are legitimate, addressing the issue through bans in public spaces is not an effective solution; it merely shifts the problem. For instance, strays banned from eateries may seek food in nearby residential areas. Such bans can also lead to inhumane measures like culling.
Furthermore, bans do not address the root causes of stray populations, such as irresponsible pet ownership and limited access to spaying and neutering programmes.
Rather than banning strays, a more compassionate approach involves tackling the problem at its source.
Pet owners should be educated on the importance of spaying and neutering. Offering free or low-cost spaying and neutering services, especially for low-income pet owners, would go a long way in reducing the number of strays.
Communities can also play a role in mitigating the hygiene and safety risks posed by strays. Implementing proper waste management practices in public spaces can reduce food sources that attract these animals.
Additionally, regular health check-ups for strays in public areas can help ensure they are disease-free, while educational campaigns promoting humane treatment can foster community responsibility.
Stray animals should not be viewed as nuisances but as living beings deserving of compassion. Ultimately, the question of banning stray animals reflects our values as a society. – By DANIEL FADZLAN, 21
Go for sustainable solutions
BANNING strays from public places is futile. As long as animals are abandoned and bred excessively, such bans will have little impact. Not only that, culling as a method of banning is inhumane.
Addressing the stray issue requires a collective effort, not just from animal shelters and rescue groups.
Local councils should work with NGOs to neuter strays and reduce their population. Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release is a more humane way to control strays than the traditional trap-and-kill method. Mass vaccinations can create herd immunity, helping to prevent the spread of diseases.
Feeding stations and mini shelters can be set up for neutered strays, keeping them away from eateries.
Imposing higher taxes for store-bought pets could encourage the adoption of rescued animals.
Laws should also prevent animal abandonment and require pet owners to neuter their pets. Microchipping pets, already mandatory in some countries, can help track pet owners and reduce abandonment rates.
Promoting public awareness of the importance of neutering, especially for male pets, can help overcome stereotypes. Neutering both male and female pets keeps them healthier and helps control stray numbers.
All in all, banning strays from public places is a simplistic and temporary approach that doesn’t address the root causes. Instead, efforts should focus on sustainable solutions. – By NIEHA MITRALLINI, 21
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 Several suggestions are offered by these youths on how to tackle the stray animal issue. As a youth, how can you contribute to improving this scenario? Discuss your ideas with your classmates.
2 Imagine you are a stray animal. What message would you want to convey to humans? Write at least 150 words and then share your work with your friends.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
