Photo: GLENN GUAN/The Star
KLANG: The Selangor government’s plan to ban the sale of animals in pet shops must be implemented or it will just remain as another plan, say animal activists.
With the state election around the corner, they fear that whoever takes over the portfolio may go back on the plan.
“We hope the new exco member will follow up with this as well as look into managing street dogs, as it is a far more serious matter,’’ said animal activist Joanne Low after the state local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han announced the proposed ban.
Low said local councils must also bust backyard breeders and puppy mills in tandem with the prohibition of the sale of animals in pet shops.
“These are the culprits behind the suffering and torment of animals that are bred indiscriminately and made to sit in glass cases and cages in pet shops for hours waiting for customers,’’ she said.
To make matters worse, the sire and dam used for breeding are often dumped on the streets when they are unable to “produce” anymore.
“Animal welfare groups have been picking up these neglected dogs, which are dumped after being used for breeding, for years,” said Low.
A pet owner who wished to be known only as Justine said she was not surprised by the announcement as the “adopt, don’t shop” mantra was supported by many.
“This proposal might help improve the lives of a lot of stray cats and dogs, but I wonder if this would affect big dogs. There is a huge restriction on what kind or size of dog is allowed in some housing areas,” she said.
Justine, however, said there were also pet shop owners who really cared about the animals and this decision would negatively affect them.
Irene Low, the director of canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), said catching and culling over the years had done nothing to decrease the number of street dogs.
She said the relevant agencies should tell people how much money was spent annually to catch and cull dogs, saying the money could have been better used to battle dengue and leptospirosis.
“Just tell them how many people die of dengue and perhaps even leptospirosis in comparison to the number of dog bite cases.
“Animal activists and groups are more than willing to manage the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) stray management system for local councils,’’ she added.
Animal activists have long wanted the state government to stop the catching and culling of street animals and adopt the TNRM method instead.
