(M) dogs shot

[Guest guest]

Group wrong to call Eng ananimal hoarder*14 Jul 2006*

DR JON S. SATYAMOORTHY, President, Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet

Ownership, Kuala Lumpur <letters

 

------------------------------

*THE Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo) is

disappointed and shocked by the comments made by the director of People for

the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong, Jason Baker,

( " Ways to help animals " — NST, July 10) over the shooting of 13 of Eng Her

Sun's dogs for being a nuisance to neighbours.

*

Baker suggests that Eng was responsible for the incident because " he had

kept so many animals " .

 

He even goes as far as to say that Eng may be an animal hoarder — a

psychological disorder where an animal " rescuer " compulsively accumulates

animals to the point when pets become abused instead.

 

What we in Marpo would like to know is, how did Baker arrive at such a

conclusion?

 

Did he fly down from Hong Kong to meet Eng and his sister to hear how they

had to witness and suffer the trauma of the killing of their pets which they

regard as their children in their home?

 

Is it ethical to carry out the shooting even if the dogs belonged to a

so-called " animal collector " ?

 

Marpo has met the Engs and is satisfied that they are not animal hoarders.

In fact, they have been looking into the needs of their pets and even spayed

and neutered them.

 

We suggest that the next time the People for the Ethical Treatment of

Animals decides to comment on an animal situation in Malaysia, please come

here to investigate before giving an opinion.

 

Whilst Marpo reaffirms its stand that all pet owners have an obligation to

obey the pet ownership laws and be considerate to non-pet owners and

neighbours, it does not condone animal cruelty and the violent option taken

by the Seremban Municipal Council to solve the problem.

 

The Engs were merely two misguided senior citizens whose only " crime " was to

generously open their home to animals that nobody wanted.

 

We urge all local authorities to deal with such " problem " people and their

pets with greater sensitivity and care.

 

We demand an immediate end to dog shooting.