KUALA LUMPUR – Prominent social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has vehemently denounced the RM30 reward given by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to capture and kill stray dogs, labelling it “unacceptable” and a form of cruelty.
In response to the controversial reward offered by authorities, Lee also backed the Queen Consort of the Sultan of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s call to halt the programme targeting stray dogs.
“It’s unacceptable, this is an injustice,” Lee, who is patron of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor, told Scoop today.
“If such a fee were given to the private sector, they would prioritise finances.”
“They would certainly go all out. Sometimes, some animals are not strays but can be caught in crossfire. They could be someone’s pet.”
He stressed that subjecting animals to capture solely for financial gain is inhumane and contradicts the principles of animal welfare.
Proposing an alternative approach, Lee advocated for a more compassionate strategy prioritising stray animal welfare.
“Insisting on enforcing this (programme) is inhumane, it is a form of cruelty,” Lee asserted.
“The right way is to neuter and shelter them. There should be a way to find suitable land to shelter these stray animals.”
He further highlighted the availability of resources from compassionate individuals willing to contribute to animal welfare efforts.
Lee emphasised the need for collaboration between local authorities and the Veterinary Science Department in each state to effectively tackle the issue of stray dog populations.
“They (authorities) don’t have to worry, there are people who are willing to pay, donate, and buy food. So, it would not be a question of authorities having the budget,” he said.
“The time has come for a total restructuring of the management of stray animals. Not only dogs but other animals as well.
“Various government bodies can work together, such as the Housing and Local Government Ministry and local authorities to look into the best ways to address the stray animal issue.”
In urging MBSA to call off its “catch and kill” programme for stray dogs earlier today, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said other methods should be used to control stray dog populations, including spaying.
Her royal highness said this in a statement issued through the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page.
“I am saddened and disappointed to hear of the latest developments regarding the operation to catch stray dogs in Selangor.
“I have emphasised many times that I strongly disagree with the ‘catch and kill’ approach by any local authority, including MBSA,” said Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who is the royal patron of the Stray Free Selangor (SFS) campaign run by the Selangor SPCA.
“I believe there are many other methods that can be used to curb this problem, including spaying (neutering).
“As royal patron of SFS, I want the local authority to detail plans for a new, more holistic approach to managing stray dogs,” she added.
She was responding to public outcry over MBSA’s plans to hold a “catch and kill” programme from April 22 to 24. This will involve volunteers from 24 residential zones in Shah Alam and a reward of RM30 for each dog caught.
Following the outcry, MBSA moved to diffuse public anger by saying it would send captured dogs to the Paws Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
However, PAWS yesterday condemned the programme and said it would refuse to take any stray dogs captured.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said local authorities should also create animal shelters in each housing estate with the cooperation of animal-loving residents.
She reiterated her calls for greater collaboration between local authorities and the SPCA to encourage responsible pet ownership among residents. – April 1, 2024