Killing will not solve the problem of strays

I REFER to your report “Negri govt apologises for public euthanasia of eight stray dogs” (TheStarOnline, Sept 8).

Yes, they apologised. But does it mean they will stop killing other helpless strays in future? Would the dogs be captured and euthanised in a private location away from public knowledge? Will they be quietly poisoned? Surely, these people must have some other plans up their sleeves.

I am appalled at how nonchalantly the municipal officers go about killing the dogs in such a ruthless manner and feel no shame or guilt over their actions. It is even more despicable when the killing is done in full view of children and women! And there are others who give a religious twist to justify the killing.

As I see it, this blatant killing of dogs violates the Animal Welfare Act 2015. Nowhere in the Act does it provide local councils and veterinary departments the authority to cull dogs in this manner.

The only occasion culling is permitted is when there is an outbreak of rabies and the order to cull comes only from the Veterinary Department and not the local councils.

I personally witnessed workers from the local authorities killing street dogs in the 1950s when I was a young boy of five or six. The “killers” went around with rifles and shot any stray dogs within sight.

I have also heard that they used other cruel methods like poisoning the dogs and beating them to death. This wanton killing is still going on in 2018 and I am still seeing this cruel act at the ripe old age of 72!

Did the local authorities manage to solve the problem of street dog in all these years? No, and they never will if killing is their only method.

The only logical alternative is for the government, animal lovers and NGOs to work together to devise more humane ways to control the problem of strays.

The government could increase financial and political support for and cooperate with NGOs to provide sufficient immunity, vaccinating and neutering services for stray dogs.

It would be better still if the government and NGOs can establish dog shelters to better control the stray population. It is believed that if every single dog is neutered and kept in a shelter, the stray problem can be overcome in five years. This method would be more civilised and humane.