Canines appear to have unwittingly become public enemy following outrage among conservatives over a dog patting open to Muslims earlier this month.

Dogs have suddenly found themselves in the headlines of newspapers with  Berita Harian  highlighting their apparent menace in public parks and even housing areas.

 

The newspaper, which surveyed the Subang Ria recreational park in Subang Jaya, said several pet owners walked their dogs there despite it being against local council rules.

 

The full page special report quoted public servant Hairuzaman Rosni as saying that pet owners were not respecting the sensitivities of Muslims.

 

"Some visitors deliberate ignore the rules, creating discomfort among others, particularly among Muslims who are worried they may come in contact with dogs while jogging," he said.

 

Another private sector worker, Mohamad Saipol mohamad Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the pets are a threat to children's safety.

 

"Some dogs are quite fierce and could suddenly attack the children," he was quoted saying.

 

According to the report, Section 82 of the of the Local Government Act 1976 and Licensing of Dogs Bylaws (MPSJ) 1999, pet owners are not allowed to bring dogs to public places, shopping centres, places of worship, offices, schools, shops and on public transport.

Travel in packs

 

The daily also highlighted the presence of stray dogs in Putrajaya and several other places and efforts by local authorities to control their population.

The stray dogs, it reports, travel in groups and bark at pedestrians who pass by.

 

The 'I Want to Touch a Dog' event on Oct 19 was aimed at breaking the stigma among Malay Muslims against dogs.

 

Muslim participants were taught the proper way of handling the animal and a religious teacher was brought in to educate them on how to ritually cleanse themselves after.

 

However, the event sparked anger among Muslim conservatives who argue the unnecessary touching of dogs is wrong according to the Shafie Muslim school of thought adhered to by most Malaysian Muslims.

 

The uproar also included death threats against organiser and activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi ( right ).

 

Syed Azmi and his team have apologised , saying that they had not intended to offend anyone.

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