Lee: Be responsible pet owners
MIRI: Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin was made to understand that 95 per cent of strays in the city are actually pets left to roam and scavenge for food as their owners do not care for them.
Lee was upset with such irresponsible pet owners, especially with the rabies outbreak in Sarawak.
“Please keep your dogs and cats within the vicinity of your house compound. Put them on leases, in their kennels or cages or in the house at all times. Do not let them roam the streets scavenging for food. Take care of them by grooming and feeding them to keep them healthy,” Lee made the appeal while handing over rice, dog and cat food to Zero Stray Miri at the animal shelter here on Sunday.
The donation was made possible with fund raised from Senadin and Riam branches of Sarawak United People’s Party. The committee raised around RM5,000 in five days.
Lauding the volunteers for rescuing strays from the streets while putting their safety and life at risk, Lee said Zero Stray Miri currently has 300 dogs in their shelter.
“They depend on public support to run the shelter. With the increase in the number of dogs, it is experiencing problem feeding and keeping the dogs in the shelter.’
Lee proposed that MIri City Council establish a proper dog pound with cremation facility to dispose of animal carcases.