Sedate dogs instead of shooting them, councils urged

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LOCAL councils should use sedatives as an alternative to shooting stray dogs even though it is a more expensive option, State Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said.

Local councils, he said, should refrain from shooting stray dogs and, instead, adopt a more humane approach whenever possible.

“Avoid shooting stray dogs and use sedatives though it may be a more expensive method to curb the population of strays.

“A 100ml of sedative usually costs about RM100,” Dr Mah told reporters during a press conference last Friday.

Fending for themselves: Stray dogs roaming about on the street.

In September, the shooting of a stray dog near Prima Condo in Ipoh had sparked a public outcry, especially among animal-rights groups, over claims that the Ipoh City Council had gone back on its promise not to shoot strays.

The council had on Nov 16 last year agreed that the shooting of stray dogs would be stopped following an instruction from the Veterinary Services Department.

Dr Mah advised pet owners to act responsibly to prevent dog abandonment cases from rising.

“If owners want to give up their pets, they should find alternative homes and proper care for the animals,” he said.

Dr Mah also added that the state government welcomed suggestions from the public on what more could be done to curb the problem of stray animals.