(MY) two letters - dogs

[Guest guest]

Sunday December 4, 2005 - The Star

 

 

Seek dialogue with our dog owners

 

I REFER to your report, " Seeking to check dog nuisance " (The Star, Dec 1).

 

The Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership agrees that

owners must be responsible for their dogs and the animals' welfare.

 

However, classifying dogs as carriers of parasites transmissible to

humans (zoonotic) without considering that other species, including

man, can also carry parasites seems to border on fear-mongering.

 

This casts a negative outlook on dogs and their owners.

 

Furthermore, if dogs are a nuisance, can a crying baby/boisterous

child also be considered in the same light? Should a couple planning

to start a family seek permission from their neighbours to do so then?

 

Surely this is ludicrous!

 

Looking to China for advice on animal-related matters is interesting

but the Committee Against Nuisance of Neighbourhood Dogs for

Peninsular Malaysia should realise that pet rearing is well and alive

in that country.

 

If dog rearing is being restricted in China, why then did so many

veterinarians attend the World Small Animal Veterinary Association

conference held there if not for increased pet rearing?

 

I would advise the committee to seek dialogue with our dog owners to

better understand their feelings and outlook.

 

Our association, on its part, is committed to liaising with local

councils and government bodies to seek solutions to pet-related

problems and to make owners more responsible towards their pets.

 

 

DR JON S. SATYAMOORTHY

 

Protem President

 

Kuala Lumpur

 

 

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Sunday December 4, 2005

 

 

Cats are as much a nuisance as dogs

 

I refer to your report, " Seeking to check dog nuisance " (The Star, Dec 1).

 

If dogs are a nuisance, what about cats? Have you heard how cats cry

at night? They are just as bad as dogs.

 

I am an animal lover. I love both cats and dogs but I feel it is

unfair just to penalise dogs for creating a din. It should be the

owners' responsibility to train their dogs.

 

More flexibility should be given to owners to walk their dogs in the

parks or beaches so that their dogs could socialise with human beings.

This is better than confining the animals within the house compound.

 

Of course, the owners have to leash their dogs while they are outside

their houses.

 

The population of cats is overly multiplying. Measures must be taken

to educate cat owners to neuter or spay their animals.

 

When it is too much to handle the cats, the owners will just throw

them somewhere, especially near restaurants as they feel that the cats

will be able to find food there.

 

Sometimes, there are too many cats in some restaurants. This is not

hygienic at all for the diners.

 

Joyce Mah

 

Kuantan, Pahang