Wanita MCA fully supports the caution by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengky Permaisuri Norashikin who urged the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to halt its “catch-and-destroy” stray dogs plan scheduled for 22~24 April 2024.

Rather than culling 4-pawed animals, Her Royal Highness’ has offered several recommendations such as neutering which can assist to decline the stray population, or to require housing developers to construct animal shelters.

Local authorities in Selangor and throughout the nation could also cooperate with existing animal shelters or NGOs to deploy a trap-neuter-release-manage programmes to reduce the number of street animals. Similarly, they could also collaborate to encourage adoption programmes whereby the venue hosts could be the animal shelters, compound outdoors of  local councils or shopping malls.

It is hoped that not only MBSA or other local authorities in Selangor, but in other states too, will adopt the advice by the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor to encourage a more compassionate society.

Let us  not forget how the adage ‘man’s best friend’ proved precise when their sniffing skills were successfully deployed in search and locate operations at the Batang Kali landslide and Turkiye earthquake disaster sites.

Wanita MCA is also concerned over the possibility of over-zealousness by MBSA and its volunteers whereby its “dog-hunt” operation may morph into a witch-hunt or pseudo-vigilantism to simply nab any dogs, including trespassing private residences to loop any collared pets with a licence.

Of Mice & Men: Infectious disease spread by rodents

Rather than embark on an RM30-per-dog-hunted exercise, more effort should be made to overcome rodent infestation in the state, thereby propel cleanliness. The defecation and urine or any contact with these pests can lead to serious public health and hygiene issues like food contamination, infection, disease spread and even fatalities.

In 2021, Selangor saw 226 cases of leptospirosis with 10 deaths while from January to 24 April 2022, there were 128 confirmed cases with one death reported.

These scurrying mammals have various ways to sneak into a building – through drain pipes, loading areas and even the front door if left ajar. The rats are also in the ceilings of various departments and come out when the lights are turned off.

Hence, more attention needs to be given to tackle the rodent menace. All local authorities should aim for a zero-rodent population for cleanliness to lessen the impacts on public health, rather than create an enemy or be dogged by canines.

Tee Hooi Ling
Wanita MCA Selangor Chairperson
Wanita MCA National Deputy Chairperson

2 April 2024

-MCA Comm-