Course on culling stray
dogs earns backlash for
animal advocacy group
Netizens ask whether the Malaysia Animal Association is really advocating the culling of strays, with some urging the group to change its name.
The Malaysia Animal Association posted on Facebook that it would be teaching the course to Shah Alam City Council staff from 8am to 5pm today, to foster a better understanding of the procedures involved, in line with rules and regulations.
It said the course on “capturing and disposing” of strays was specially crafted by the association for local government officers tasked with handling and managing stray dogs.
The post drew angry comments on Facebook, where netizens criticised the group for teaching a course on culling strays when it was supposed to be an animal advocacy group.
Facebook user Shima Haron urged the association to clarify what it meant by “pelupusan anjing terbiar” (the disposal of stray dogs).
“From my perspective, it means catch and kill, but it couldn’t be that because you are supposed to be the ‘Malaysia Animal Association’,” she said.
Another netizen, Ellysa Yuen, urged the group to change its name, saying it clearly did not advocate the rights and wellbeing of animals.
Ram Mohan meanwhile suggested that the group be dissolved as a whole.
FMT has reached out to the Malaysia Animal Association for comment.
Animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan also criticised the course, suggesting that what the group was teaching was against the law.
“Only the veterinary services department can put down a dog. This entire course is illegal,” he said.
Animal rights groups have been pushing for local councils to adopt the “trap, neuter, return and rehouse” policy to manage strays rather than catching and culling the animals.
Nothing wrong with teaching dog culling techniques.
ReplyDelete