GEORGE TOWN: People don’t just dump rubbish on Pulau Gazumbo, a tiny island just off the Penang Bridge, but dogs as well.
Twelve dogs have been found abandoned on the island to fend for themselves and efforts are now under way by the local authorities to rescue the strays.
Yesterday, several councillors from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) went to the island to rescue the dogs as part of a two-and-a-half-hour “Sustainability and Animal Lovers” programme to collect rubbish from the island.
Unfortunately, the skittish animals proved hard to catch and the councillors, together with some 100 volunteers, had to leave the island empty-handed except for over a tonne of rubbish.
The volunteers were from the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Section and KD Sri Pinang, which is the training centre for navy reserve units.
Vowing to return for the dogs, MBPP councillor Quah Boon Lim said the council is monitoring the situation closely.
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“We will come back again to set up traps and catch the dogs so that they can be neutered and made available for adoption.
“Abandoning pet dogs in areas without food and water sources constitutes animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2015. The owners can be fined up to RM100,000, jailed three years, or both, if caught,” he warned.
It is suspected that the dogs could have been abandoned on the island after fish farmers stopped operating their aquaculture projects.
The incident has sparked outrage among advocates of animal welfare.
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Quah said all dog owners should practise responsible pet ownership to ensure the welfare of their pets.
“They should neuter them to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of diseases.
“Those who keep dogs over three months old should apply for an annual dog licence,” Quah said.
“The fee for each licence tag is only RM10 per year and applications can be made online through ulesen.mbpp.gov.my,” he added.
Pulau Gazumbo is formed from sand build-up during the construction of Penang Bridge from 1983 to 1986.
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Over the years, the 3ha man-made island has become an eyesore with a massive amount of garbage washed ashore, posing a danger to the marine environment.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran called the record collection of 1.22 metric tonnes of rubbish “a disappointment” as the public continued to throw waste into the sea.
A similar clean-up was held in conjunction with Earth Day on April 21, during which 870kg of rubbish was collected, he said.
“After only slightly over two months, the rubbish has piled up again. This is very disappointing, considering this island has the largest seagrass meadow in the Strait of Malacca.
“Much of the rubbish cleared up today consisted of plastic bottles.
“There was also discarded fishermen’s nets which could entangle and kill marine life,” he said.
Councillor Rohaizat Hamid, who was present, said the primary objective of the programme was to show the public the importance of cleanliness for the sea as well as Pulau Gazumbo.
“The garbage, which comes from as far as a neighbouring state, poses a significant threat to both human and marine life,” he said, urging everyone to spread the message.
The Pulau Burung landfill, he added, is projected to reach capacity by 2036 should no action be taken now.
