KUALA LUMPUR: Dogs serving with the Fire and Rescue Department's K9 Dog Detection Unit will not be euthanised even after reaching 10-years-old, but will be given a new 'leash' of life, says Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
"I want to state here that the live assets (canines) of the department will not be disposed of despite having passed 10-years-old.
"Instead, in recognition of their service, the department will make arrangements for their housing, food and medical checks including additional supplements.
"These assets will only be disposed of if they are suffering pain due to chronic illness, are in a critical condition or of very old age.
"This will only be done upon advice from a veterinarian," the Local Government Development Deputy Minister said when replying to a question raised by Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (March 12).
He also said that the disposal of the canines is done in accordance to specific directives from the ministry.
Kok wanted to know if it was true that dogs serving with the department are not allowed to be adopted and put to sleep after reaching 10 years old.
Earlier, Akmal informed the House that there were currently 32 dogs serving in several roles with the department and were based in Jalan Klang Lama (Kuala Lumpur), Serian (Sarawak) and Tuaran (Sabah).
He noted that the dogs were specifically trained in search and rescue operations covering four categories.
These, he said, were urban disaster search and rescue, fire investigations, cadavers and wilderness.
He added that approval had been given to procure 12 more dogs under the 12th Malaysia Plan and would arrive here in 2025.
These dogs would be for fire investigations and urban disaster search and rescue, he added.
Akmal agreed with Kok that the department was facing challenges brought about by climate change and increasing risks such as landslides.
As such, he said the department had made plans to meet growing challenges.
"The ministry will forward their proposal to the Finance Ministry.
"There may be a need to set up other canine centres in the south and north of the country," he added.
Earlier, Akmal noted that the dogs with the department's K9 Unit had played a role in recent search and rescue operations during the deadly Batang Kali landslide and the devastating earthquake in Turkiye.
