ANOTHER serial stray dog killer is allegedly on the loose in Penang – this time in the affluent Tanjong Bungah neighbourhood.
A couple was recently told that up to 20 canines are believed to have gone missing in the past month.
Neighbours told the Howells, a couple who stay near Permai Gardens in Tanjung Bungah, about the spate of missing strays, with some carcasses found near river streams and isolated spots near the hills.
“I am furious that someone dares to take the lives of innocent dogs. They have not done any harm. In a telephone interview, they said the dogs were likely strays because their original owners abandoned them,” said Mr Howell.
Similar to last year’s allegations in another high-end neighbourhood in Island Glades – 13km away from Tanjung Bungah – the dogs died apparently from poisoning and the authorities seemed powerless to do anything.
Something must seriously be done to prevent such animal abuse, said the Howells.
The Howells said that their neighbours are very anxious and worried now.
A Tanjung Bungah Residents Association member confirmed this, sharing social media posts of animal rights group Spay and Adopt Manage Assist (SAMA) Society, where the claims were widely posted.
The member said that dogs are constantly being poisoned.
“We heard about it a few years ago and when police reports were lodged along with media reports, there was a respite. And now suddenly, it has reemerged,” said the member, who is a former senior journalist.
The community is also worried that the poison may be consumed by humans, such as in the case of what happened in Kulim, Kedah recently, where two siblings died after eating keropok laced with poison meant for wild monkeys, said the member.
The fact that it is happening in affluent communities is unsettling to residents, the member said, adding that the residents were urged to be vigilant and to check their CCTVs to expose any suspicious persons loitering in their areas.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari and the Penang SPCA could not be reached for comment.
Last year, animal lover David Yim, a former Penang MCA leader, said that he came across five dead dogs in Island Glades.
Plastic bags of food believed to be poisoned were near the carcasses, he claimed.
“Several dog feeders have lodged reports with the police and state Veterinary Services Department. I hope they will investigate thoroughly and take action against the dog killer,” said Yim.
The killing started in March when a home owner found his pet dog dead in the compound but he did not think much of it until he heard from his neighbours, who fed strays, about the numerous dead dogs in the area, he said.
Yim said not only were dogs affected, as birds had also died after eating the poisoned food.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, there are specific sections, namely Section 29 (pertaining to animal cruelty), Section 30 (killing of animals), and Section 31 (administration of poisons), that are relevant to these incidents.
“Any person found guilty (of an offence under the act) can be fined not less than RM20,000, with the maximum fine being RM100,000, or face a maximum three years’ jail, or both,” he said.
He added that he did not understand why anyone would want to do such a cruel thing as the dogs had not hurt anyone.
“The dead dogs have been neutered or spayed under the Penang Island City Council’s ‘Trap, Neuter and Release’ programme where all captured dogs are neutered and vaccinated against rabies before being released.”
Yim said that dogs provide humans with companionship and love, and should not be treated this way as they were also used for search and rescue operations. – July 15, 2024
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