Selangor to review 'catch and kill' of dogs after royal rebuke

The Selangor government will review its approach to catching and killing stray dogs, following a rebuke by the state’s Tengku Permaisuri.

State local government exco Ng Suee Lim also hailed Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s advice for a more humane approach to handling strays.

“The Selangor government will review the catch and kill approach being used now that created controversy.

“An excellent suggestion by Her Royal Highness to expand the use of spaying and preparing more shelters for strays in certain residential areas as well as to get cooperation from residents and animal lovers to create a more loving and civilised community,” Ng (above) told Malaysiakini.

Late last month, it was reported that the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) was planning a three-day operation to catch 500 stray dogs in Setia Alam.

This included recruiting volunteers who would be paid RM30 for each dog caught.

A notice circulated on social media also stated that the dogs would be culled.

After backlash, MBSA released a statement on March 30, saying the dogs would be cared for and fed by the council before being surrendered to the Paws Animal Welfare Society for further action.

It also said the council had acted on more than 400 complaints of disturbance caused by stray dogs between Jan and March 19 this year.

Paws practises euthanasia, which it deems as a compassionate solution for animals who are not adopted instead of leaving them to struggle on the streets.

‘There are many other ways’

In a statement yesterday, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin expressed disappointment with MBSA’s initial plans.

“I have repeatedly stressed that I am strongly against ‘catch and kill’ by any local authorities.

“I believe there are many other ways to solve this problem, including neutering.

“As the royal patron of the Stray Free Selangor campaign under the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), I want local councils to look into a new, more holistic approach to manage stray dogs,” she said.

Her Royal Highness said besides spaying animals on a wider scale, the local council must also create shelters and run them together with animal-loving residents.

She also said there was a need for a “Create Caring and Compassionate Communities” campaign to reduce the number of abandoned pets.

This includes local councils working with SPCA to educate pet owners on responsible ownership.

She said local councils should also get the SPCA or other groups to advise if there is a need to cull strays due to health or other factors.

The SPCA has been carrying out a mass spaying campaign which Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said has resulted in 1,626 animals being neutered thus far.

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