The Penang state government under the leadership of Lim Guan Eng is facing flak over the culling of stray dogs in the state in the wake of rabies outbreak in the state. While the world is increasing aware of and condemning animal cruelty, Lim decides on rapid killings of dogs without considering other preventive measures.

Less than 5 percent of the thousands of dogs killed so far demonstrated signs of rabies. So, why go on a killing spree? Since sexually transmitted diseases are also on the rise, is Lim going to propose euthanasia of prostitutes in Penang, too? So, if tuberculosis and HIV is on the rise, shall we kill all homeless people, too?

Lim’s stand on willing to lose votes over dog culling stinks of arrogance. His defence that BN killed stray dogs in the past too does not justify his action. BN demonstrated against the Chinese, too, so then you should also do the same, Guan Eng. Stop politicising everything.

In India recently people went on strike against the Keralan government over the mass killing of stray dogs. Although it is estimated that about 36 percent of the world’s rabies deaths occur in India each year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has never condoned the idea of mass killing of dogs.

They instead launched collaboration programmes with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and various NGOs to combat the rabies problem. The focus in India is now on educational awareness and mass vaccination of dogs.

A group of independent animal activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has strongly hit out at Guan Eng. They claim that Lim did not practice transparent administration when dealing with the rabies issue and many NGOs were not consulted before the state embarked on the culling.

Lim’s state government is urged to instead embark on mass vaccination. A combination of global NGOs have stepped up and is willing to offer vaccines for these stray dogs in Penang if there is a shortage of vaccines in the state or country.

Rampant killing of dogs or any other living thing is inhumane. The Penang state government has yet to exhaust other measures to combat the rabies problem therefore they should not straight jump into mass culling. Just as the Indians urged the world to boycott Kerala, we should all stand together and push for a boycott in Penang unless Lim stops this barbaric action.

I urge the people to adopt and vaccinate these unfortunate dogs, otherwise they will all be brutally murdered. Dogs are world widely recognised as man’s best friend. Save them from Lim’s cruelty.

Let’s boycott Penang to save the dogs from slaughter.