(MY) dog carnage

[Guest guest]

Eng Her Sun and his dogs: A lesson for all animal lovers - New Straits Times

*04 Jul 2006*

BALBEER SINGH, Kuala Lumpur

 

 

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*I REFER to the letters " Council's action barbaric and cruel " and

" Disgraceful act " (NST, July 2).

*

Firstly, kudos to the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) for being so tolerant

and giving enough warning to the owner before taking the drastic action of

shooting 13 canines dead.

 

Despite being given a six-month grace period to move his 25 dogs out of the

area, the owner had repeatedly refused to do so. This just goes to show his

complete defiance of the law and lack of responsibility and respect for his

neighbours. What choice did the MPS have?

 

I can imagine the hardship of the residents, who had to endure the daily

ruckus and smell caused by improper sanitation for these animals.

 

And what if the dogs (MPS officers had reported these canines were fierce)

had attacked a child or an elderly person?

 

The blame would have gone to the MPS for not taking action. They would

possibly face litigation by the victims.

 

Is that what dog-overs want?

 

While acknowledging the rights of animal lovers, it is clear that the law

has to be followed when keeping pets. The law allows only two dogs per

household, not 25!

 

The MPS and residents must be congratulated for being tolerant, before

resorting to tough action. Let this be a lesson to all animal-lovers.

Respect the rights of your neighbours, just as you want others to respect

your right to keep pets.

 

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*Eng Her Sun and his dogs:* Other options*04 Jul 2006*

ANTHONY THANASAYAN, Petaling Jaya

 

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*I AM distressed by the action taken by the Seremban Municipal Council to

shoot dead 13 of 25 dogs belonging to a pet owner ( " Fierce standoff over 25

Dogs " — NST, June 30).

*

The fact that this took place in the owner's home, and in a residential

area, is totally unacceptable. It is not surprising why the owner and dogs

turned " aggressive " in such a confrontational setting.

 

Even with all the " aggression " , there is no reason why the dogs could not

have been removed without violence as the authorities could have lured them

with food and other treats.

 

The authorities should have exhausted all means, even calling a psychiatrist

to help the dog owner — who could have been suffering from an animal

hoarding problem — to getting expertise from animal welfare NGOs on how to

resettle the dogs — instead of resorting to the action that they took.

 

Doing such things to animals in front of children and youngsters will only

help to perpetuate a violent society rather than try and build one of

respect and love for human beings and animals.

 

Some of those dogs could have been rehabilitated to work with disabled and

elderly people as companion dogs.

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*Eng Her Sun and his dogs:* Blame owner *04 Jul 2006*

S.A.L., Seremban

 

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*THE dog-shooting incident in Seremban must have touched the hearts of many

pet lovers.

*

Even animals deserve a better ending to their lives.

 

There have been letters written by members of the public, and statements

made by associations regarding this unfortunate episode, mostly in support

of Eng Her Sun's predicament.

 

But the crux of the matter lies in Eng's responsibilities as the " father to

his children " .

 

I have seen Eng take six to eight dogs in his car, and allow them to roam

freely, unleashed and unsupervised within Taman Desa Rasah, Taman Harapan

Baru, Taman Sungai Ujong and Taman Rasah Jaya.

 

Suffice to say, a pack of dogs will always behave like a pack of dogs.

 

I had a confrontation with Eng last year when his dogs attacked a

neighbour's kitten. He was oblivious to his dogs' behaviour, and did not

offer an apology or show any remorse despite my telling him what had

happened.

 

Sometimes, unbridled love obscures our ability to be humane to humanity

itself, and the animal kingdom suffers.