(MY) dog's problem

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Dog owners aim to have their day - Malay Mail

NAJMUDDIN NAJIB

SHAH ALAM, Dec 30:

--

 

Dog owners here are expected to protest against the latest Shah Alam

City Council's (MBSA) licensing ruling at its headquarters today.

 

Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo) protem

president Dr Jon S. Satyamoorthy said he expects about 200 members to

show up to voice their dissatisfaction over the new conditions which

he described as " unreasonable, ridiculous and heartless " .

 

Dr Satyamoorthy cited as an example a rule stating that only bungalow

and semi-detached house residents would be allowed to keep dogs.

 

" This condition appears to favour only the wealthy. Does this mean

that the middle- class and those with a lower income are unable to

keep dogs? " he asked

 

He said another ruling which makes it compulsory for dog owners to

obtain consent from four immediate neighbours is ridiculous.

 

" It is absurd. No person will willingly share responsibility for the

behaviour of his neighbour's dog. Such a ruling will only do more harm

than good to the community. "

 

He said dog owners will also demand a meeting with the Mayor, Datuk

Rahim Mahmud, to discuss the matter as their meeting with Deputy Mayor

Za'ba Che Rus on Dec 20 was " fruitless " .

 

" This time, we are hoping for a proper dialogue rather than a

monologue we received from the Deputy Mayor.

 

" We were also taken aback by the Deputy Mayor's comments at the

meeting, claiming that the rules had to be enforced as 70 per cent of

Shah Alam's population were Muslim.

 

" I believe that such a statement does not reflect the true Malaysian

spirit as we are a country rich in cultural and religious diversity in

which tolerance is paramount. "

 

He said the council did not appear to be interested in listening to

dog owners' views and had made up its mind.

 

The dog owners, he said, will hand over a protest letter to the Mayor,

listing in detail their grievances over the new rulings.

 

Last April, MBSA announced its new guidelines for dog owners, which

required them to fill special applications forms costing RM2 each. In

addition, owners must pay a RM50 service fee and RM10 for the licence.

 

Applicants must submit a photograph of the dog, the kennel and the

house's surroundings, and enclose a health certificate of the animal

from the Veterinary Services Department.

 

Over and above that, only owners of detached, double-storey and corner

terrace properties are allowed to keep dogs. Only two dogs are

permitted for bungalow and semi-detached houses, while only one is

allowed for a corner terrace lot.

 

Owners must also display a signboard notifying the presence of dogs

and its breed at the premises.

 

When walking the dogs, the canine must be on a leash and wearing a

muzzle to ensure public safety.

 

Dogs are also prohibited from the playground or recreation area and

owners can be fined RM300 for breaching the rules