The letter Dog cruelly beaten by workers highlights the plight of dogs in Malaysia. Joy's case is perhaps a rare and extreme case which nevertheless calls for serious action against cruelty to animals. The law to punish is there so the authorities should act. Animal groups should ensure that those found guilty will be punished.

It is crystal clear that no religion sanctions the beating of dogs. Religion should not be blamed but the ignorance and utter cruelty of the dog-beaters. But my concern also is for the thousands of dogs that are being abused by their owners in Malaysian homes.

I am aghast that many dog owners still don't know how to treat their dogs properly. It is indeed an indictment of dog owners who chain their dogs day and night to act as security guards. Such an act is not allowed in Western countries because dogs need the freedom and space to move about. They are living creatures, not robots. It is cruel to tie them up the whole day, or even for any extended period.

Dog owners who use dogs inhumanely in place of burglar alarms should be banned from keeping dogs. In the suburbs, I find it utterly frustrating and annoying that dogs are encouraged to bark at any one who passes by the front gate. Thus, the day and night the barking of dogs poses a serious public nuisance. No wonder many people hate dogs because of the ignorance and inconsiderateness of dog-owners.

Dogs are territorial by nature and do not need to be ferocious to guard the house. They will naturally be aggressive if a stranger gets into their territory. Dog owners don't really want an aggressive and socially maladjusted dog. Aggressive dogs are also a danger to neighbours and children.

The dog-owning culture of Malaysians - like their road culture - is atrocious. Few Malaysians show that they know how to keep dogs properly and even fewer know how to drive considerately on the roads.

Ignorance and inconsiderateness have become part of the Malaysian culture. If you are a dog owner, begin to think about the needs of your dog. It has physical and emotional needs just like you and should not be treated like the proverbial dog - a victim of human cruelty. More dogs are badly treated in Malaysian homes than beaten to death.