Homeless family: The puppies and their mother resting at the pedestrian bridge in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam. — Photo sourced from Joseph Ng’s social media account
GEORGE TOWN: The puppies are not skin and bones, and they all sport healthy coats of fur, and even their mother looks wholesome.
Despite having an evidently good beginning, the whole pack of nine well-behaved and close-knit pups was abandoned with the mother and left to lead the lives of stray animals.
The pedestrian bridge in Bandar Ayer Itam is a haven for these creatures, whose calm and friendly nature has endeared them to the local community.
But no one there has the ability to take in nine puppies and their mother.
For the authorities, this is yet another sad case of irresponsible pet ownership.
Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan, who formerly chaired the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) stray and abandoned dogs sub-committee, said the circulating photos of the mother and puppies should leave a clear impact on the public.
“This case is the result of pet abandonment, and it needs to be a public message that more lives were created and will suffer.
“Dogs are domesticated animals that serve a purpose for humanity, and we need people to have enough awareness of neutering their dogs.
“Our aim is to have zero strays in Penang, but if people keep doing this, it will be impossible to reach it,” she said.
Yesterday, photos of the canine with her nine puppies were shared on social media by a Facebook user identified as Tg Khoo, who pointed out that they were located near SJK (C) Chiao Nan in Ayer Itam.
“When the mother crosses the road and the puppies follow, the line can be as long as 5m to 10m,” he wrote, urging someone to help the pack.
Tan said that since 2018, MBPP and International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) had neutered (for males) or spayed (for females) 5,687 dogs.
“This year, we launched a programme in Balik Pulau to trap, neuter and release (TNR) dogs there, as there are many farms with guard dogs.
“Our target was 200 this year and we have reached 197 so far.
“It is completely free and we provide transport for the dogs from the farm, neuter them, and then return them to the farm. We go the extra mile,” she said.
Tan added that unless dog owners have clear intentions and are prepared to breed dogs, they have a social duty to neuter or spay these animals to prevent cases of abandonment from frequently recurring.
She hopes IAPWA will step forward and help put up the puppies for adoption.
“But they have plenty of puppies up for adoption currently and this will just add more to their plate,” she said.
Ayer Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, who highlighted the issue, said MBPP will look into it and inform IAPWA.
“We welcome those interested to come forward and adopt the puppies.
“The concern is that they were abandoned by the side of a busy road near a school.
“People need to take responsibility and care for their dogs.
“Doing this not only endangers the dogs’ lives but the public as well. With the dogs so close to the main road, it could lead to accidents,” he said.
For those interested in adopting a dog, visit the IAPWA Penang Facebook page to make an appointment and visit them.
