(MY) Letters on dog ownership

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Letters - New Straits Times

 

Rules must be fair to all

PROF MOHD ZAMRI SAAD Universiti Putra Malaysia

 

Dec 16:

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THE issue of dog ownership has been debated for years (NST, Dec 12).

It's a three-party debate that involves dog owners, their neighbours

and the local authority.

It seems that a relatively simple problem has been turned into a

complex issue. There is no doubt that a few dog owners are

irresponsible.

 

To them, having a pet is like buying a toy with no maintenance to

consider. They forget that having a pet is more like having another

family member that must be cared for in terms of living space, health

care and grooming.

 

Pets must also be budgeted for in terms of their nutritional, medical

and grooming needs.

 

However, we should not forget that there are many dog owners who are

responsible and that a few bad owners are attracting bad publicity.

 

This, of course, paves the way for neighbours to complain. If one

looks at the complaints record, I am sure that the number is

relatively low.

 

We tend to forget that many dog owners and their neighbours live a

relatively comfortable life once the owner and neighbour adapt to the

situation.

 

The ability of human beings to adapt to new surroundings, given time

and space, is extremely good and must be used by both pet owners and

neighbours to defuse the situation of having a dog nearby.

 

With the increasing trend and number of complaints against dog

ownership, the local councils, understandably, will have to intervene.

Since public comfort and welfare are the council's main business, the

regulation will definitely be for the public and against dog owners.

 

However, it seems that the regulations tend to punish all dog owners,

including those who are responsible owners .

 

Regulations, to my mind, should be friendly to both owners and public

and punish only the irresponsible owners. Consulting the Veterinary

Association Malaysia (VAM), the Malaysian Small Animals Veterinary

Association (MSAVA) or even the Malaysian Veterinary Council towards

drawing up suitable regulations would be beneficial to all.