I cannot for the world of me comprehend how the Shah Alam Municipal Council (MPSA) could have the heart to come up with such an uncompromisingly harsh and severe ruling as to ban all Rottweiler breeds from the state starting from next year.

The authorities have also expressed that they would refuse granting dog licences to dog owners who are not able to procure written permissions from their neighbours from all sides to keep a dog in their homes.

Furthermore, only those with bungalows and end lots with land are allowed to keep dogs whereas those in between who cannot afford space will be deprived of ever owning dogs.

The move by MPSA to try and arrest the problem of dog attacks appears to be just as savage as the former.

Imagine the heartbreak and misery the council will be causing to thousands of its residents who include women, children and the elderly who would have to arbitrarily give up their canines because of some neighbours' personal fear and ignorance about dogs, will not give them permission to have such pets around.

The Rottweiler who happens to act as therapy and service dog to the disabled and the infirm will now have to be confiscated because it has suddenly been deemed as a 'dangerous' and 'vicious' dog.

Think of all the homes and neighbourhoods in Shah Alam that previously used to deter burglars and petty thieves because of the presence of the Rottweiler. They will now probably see an increase in such crimes and other ills with the disappearance of the Rotties.

I would like to call on the MPSA to rescind their plan to ban the Rottweiler breed with immediate effect and instead declare an all-out war on owners who fail to raise up their dogs properly, especially the larger breeds.

While the proposed special courses for dog owners are to be welcomed, the following are some suggestions which I hope the MPSA will find helpful in dealing with the problem in a more measured way:

  • Do not issue annual licences to dog owners unless the animals have been examined by a veterinarian at least twice a year.

  • Create a hotline for the public so that they can make complaints against errant owners who abuse their dogs or bring up their dogs in a way where they can be a danger to the public.

  • Prompt action should be taken on all complaints with every call treated with utmost confidentiality.

  • Regular spot checks should be conducted on all dog owners' homes to ensure that no owners are abusing their animals.

  • Every complaint should be thoroughly investigated with personal visits to the home of the offenders and officers should be accompanied by a veterinary doctor when a situation warrants for it.

  • Should an animal be abused, it should be rescued by the authorities at once and nursed back to health before being rehabilitated into a new home.

  • Offenders of serious animal abuse should be banned altogether from owning any pets in the future.

  • Dog obedience classes should be set up immediately by the MPSA and all large breed dogs, especially, should be required to attend such sessions as one of the requisites to obtain dog licences. A refresher course could be considered for the same dog and owner once in every three years.

  • All dogs should strictly be on a leash and with their owners when they are outside their homes. Small children and young teenagers should be prohibited from walking large breed dogs should they have a problem keeping such pets under control. A strict fine of RM500 should be slapped on those who disregard this rule.

  • All homes with dogs should be dog-proofed so as to prevent animals from escaping from their enclosures. A heavy fine should be imposed on owners who neglect this requirement.

  • The MPSA should undertake awareness raising programmes among the public in collaboration with animal rights groups and local veterinarians from time to time to educate the public on how to care for their pets in order to ensure a much safer environment for everyone. To do this, the MPSA could publish pamphlets for dog owners on how to raise their pets up properly with plenty of love, exercise, play, rest and proper nutrition.

  • The MPSA should provide special dog-friendly parks where dog-owners have the opportunity to let their pets socialise effectively outside the home environment. Such parks, fitted with special confined areas for canines to roam and romp about with other dogs, would also serve as a timely opportunity for those without pets to expose themselves to the animal world.

  • People with disabilities, the elderly and the infirm who own a dog and use them for animal- assisted therapy and special services should be exempted from all fees in owning dog licenses. A hotline should be set up for them by the MPSA to offer advice and special help in caring for their pets - including transport to ferry their special pets to an animal hospital when required.

    • Obtaining special dog licenses for the handicapped should be undertaken by the MPSA who should then deliver these licenses personally to their homes.