N Sembilan firm on culling stray dogs, assures adherence to SOPs

Summary

• Negeri Sembilan stands by its plans to cull stray dogs in Malay-majority areas, citing cases where people were bitten.

• Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun says implementation will adhere to SOPs, legal requirements, and won’t be indiscriminate shooting.

The Negeri Sembilan government assured that its plan to cull stray dogs in predominantly Malay areas will be done according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and legal guidelines.

Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun emphasised that implementation would not be arbitrary or reckless, with authorities expected to handle the matter to the best of their abilities.

“Don’t misunderstand. What we mean is that (the plan) will follow SOPs (and is not) a random culling or indiscriminate shooting of dogs,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri yesterday.

He explained that the culling proposal came in response to increased complaints and safety fears among residents, as well as several cases where people were injured by stray dogs.

He added that the state government received reports of stray dogs wandering into Muslim houses of worship and creating disturbances and unease in Malay residential areas.

“Based on information from my officer, there was a case just today in Port Dickson (involving) a teenager bitten by a stray dog.

“Those who own dogs should not wash their hands of responsibility when they no longer want the animal (by) abandoning them and expecting others to take over the caretaker role.

“Situations like that should not happen (as) it affects the community. When someone gets bitten (by a stray dog), who will take responsibility?” he questioned.

More humane alternative

Previously, animal welfare group Furrykids Safehaven urged the state government to engage with NGOs and veterinarians to develop a more humane and effective way to manage the stray population.

It also urged the state to support existing trap-neuter-release programmes and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, sterilisation, and community cooperation.

The group, which also runs an animal shelter in Seremban, is planning to hand a memorandum to the state government to oppose the culling plan.

It was earlier reported that all Negeri Sembilan assemblypersons unanimously agreed to conduct mass culling of stray dogs in Malay-majority areas to address concerns about disturbances and safety.

Aminuddin was quoted as saying then that while the neutering of stray dogs is expected to continue, issues of stray dogs in Malay areas are “getting out of hand”.

He added that the culling will focus on Malay-majority areas first, before being expanded to other areas.

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