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The Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) Selangor is working closely with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to investigate recent reports alleging abuse by dog-catchers. “The reports have been pouring in, we are now investigating up to 4 local municipal councils for alleged cruelty to animals by municipal and contracted dog-catchers,” says SPCA Chairperson Christine Chin. Three out of the four incidents have been reported to the police.
Investigations probe dog-catchers jurisdiction and abusive methods In the wake of the Turbo’s case in late September – the Jack-Russell Terrier abducted from his home by Majlis Perbandaran Sepang dog-catchers – three more reports were made to SPCA on the long-standing issue of unethical and inhumane dog-catchers in the Klang Valley. Two weeks ago a case was reported where Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) dog-catchers caught a stray dog and dragged it through a house gate. A witness states the dog had been beaten by the dog catchers, dragged through a 5-inch gap in the gate, and taken to the MPSJ Dog Pound in Puchong– where it was not treated for its injuries. Animal rescuers paid the compound, removed the dog and sent it to the vet for treatment the next day. The vet report states that the dog was suffering from bleeding gums and lower lips, cut wounds and abrasions on forehead and right ear – and stated that the dog was 'clearly traumatised'. SPCA and DVS have since met with the MPSJ Health Department, and spot-checked the MPSJ Dog-Pound to survey the conditions. A visit was also made to the vacant house in Bandar Kinrara where the stray dog was removed from, where both the SPCA and DVS teams collected evidence - photographing the premises, taking measurements of the gate and speaking to the witness. Both the DVS and MPSJ Health Department confirmed that dog-catchers do not have the right to enter occupied private property and seize an unlicenced dog, merely because it does not have a licence. In this situation, they said that the correct course of action would be to compound the owner first.
Within days of this incident, another pet owner lodged a report with SPCA, alleging that Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) dog-catchers had trespassed into her home and caught her dog, dragging it out from underneath the main gate. Attempts were made to locate the dog which was not taken to the PAWS Animal Shelter, but held by the MBSA and put to sleep three days later. The owner and an SPCA Inspector arrived during the destruction process, and were literally minutes too late to save the dog. The distraught owner made a police report immediately after leaving the pound.
Know Your Rights, Protect Your Dog SPCA Selangor urges all dog owners and their neighbors to be vigilant, after an increasing number of reports of dog catchers breaking into homes and stealing their dogs - sometimes with force resulting to injuries to the dog. They also try and coax the dog to the fence and then snare the dog with poles and drag it outside the property. Quite often these dog catchers use the excuse that the dog is not licenced, in order to try and justify their actions. The monetary incentive is attractive, with many municipals paying them up to RM45 per dog.
The organisation reminds members of the public that in all 13 municipal councils in Wilayah Perseketuan and Selangor, dog-catchers do not have the legal authority to climb the fence and enter into your home compound, whether or not your dog has a licence. SPCA advises pet owners to challenge any dog-catcher that says they have the right to take your dog, and ask for names and a contact number of a supervisor. “Please keep an eye on each others dogs especially when your neighbours are at work. If you see something suspicious take notes,” urges SPCA Inspectorate consultant Glyn Roberts, formerly of RSPCA UK. “Take down the description and registration number of van, description/ uniform worn by people stealing dog, and how many of them are there. Note all actions and record details of the incident, take photos or videos of the van and people in action, and make a police report immediately,” he continues. “Early this year, DVS had issued their Humane Management of Stray Animals Guidelines to all municipal councils in Malaysia. The basis of the guidelines are the Five Freedoms for Animals, and cover aspects like catching, transportation, housing, and euthanasia,” says Chin. “We hope that all municipals will adapt these guidelines, to ensure that all animals under their care will be treated with kindness and compassion,” she continues. If you come across such cases of abusive dog-catchers, please notify SPCA Selangor immediately at 42565312/ 42535179 (8.30am-4.30pm) or at
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, so the organisation can compile evidence on the case and follow-up with the authorities. For more information, please contact SPCA PR & Marketing Officer Jacinta
at 012-2881421 or via e-mail at
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Note To Editors: • The Society For Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) Selangor is an NGO which serves Selangor and The Federal Territory.
• SPCA Selangor was established in 1958, with the aim of protecting defenseless animals and alleviating their suffering.
• The SPCA does not receive any government funding, relying entirely on donations from the public to support its services & activities.
• The SPCA Animal Shelter & Adoption Centre at Ampang Jaya temporarily homes 300-350 unwanted animals at any one time while seeking new homes for them. The animals are made up of surrendered pets, rescued cruelty case animals and stray or abandoned animals brought in by Good Samaritans.
• The SPCA would like to work closely with the people of Malaysia to elevate the welfare standards for our Malaysian animals – ensuring they responsibly neuter their pets, provide adequate food, space, exercise, care and medical attention, as well as encouraging them to be responsible neighbors.
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