New dog pound built to house strays

SEREMBAN: Authorities are hoping the construction of a new dog pound in Kuala Sawah to house strays will end their merciless killings, says Urban Wellbeing, Housing, Local Government and New Villages Committee chairman Teo Kok Seong.

The dog pound, being built on the 0.8ha site, should be ready within two months, he said.

Teo said the cost of the facility will be borne by a few lawmakers, an NGO and the public.

Animals sent to the facility would be neutered and vaccinated and then given up for adoption, he said.

“There are people including factory owners who are actually keen to adopt these dogs.

“So once work at the pound is completed, we will be able to man- age these strays in a more humane way rather than putting them to sleep after a certain period as was the previous practice,” he said.

Five dogs, including one which had an owner, were found dead and believed to be poisoned in Lavender Heights here between Jan 1 and 5.

Several individuals have since lodged police reports and want the case investigated under the Animal Welfare Act for cruelty to animals.

Teo also said high-risk areas with strays are given priority when asked about allegations by residents that the Seremban Municipal Council had failed to act on complaints.

“The council has over the past few months carried out joint operations with NGOs to catch strays, especially in areas considered high risk.

“If there are many and urgent complaints, we will act promptly,” he said.

Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun yesterday said animals have rights too and advised the public against killing strays in such a manner.

“We are humans and we need to be more responsible.

“Although we do not know who was responsible for what happened in Lavender Heights, such cases should not happen,” he said.

In a separate press conference later, the Ibnu Khaldun Mosque committee in Lavender Heights near here denied being involved in the case.

Its chairman Mohd Asna Amin, who had been called in by the police to have his statement recorded, said it was unfair for netizens to accuse his committee of being involved.

Although his committee had lodged complaints with the Seremban Municipal Council and the Department of Veterinary Services about the strays, he said, they would not take the law into their own hands.

Paroi assemblyman Mohamad Taufek Abd Ghani said he believed the mosque committee was not involved.

“The carcasses of the dogs were also found a distance away from the mosque. We should allow the police to complete their probe,” he added.

So once work at the pound is completed, we will be able to manage these strays in a more humane way. Teo Kok Seong