Abandoned Dogs Cannibalizing Each Other

4^th May 2009, KLANG – SPCA Selangor Animal Inspectors and Save A Stray founder Jacqueline Tsang made another trip to Pulau Ketam and the neighbouring uninhabited island on Monday to check on the dogs that had been abandoned on Pulau Selat Kering.

What they witnessed confirmed their worst fear.

The dogs have no choice but to eat carcasses of other dogs, as there is no other source of food available for weeks

Upon approaching Pulau Selat Kering, the team saw approximately 10 dogs on the fringe of the island. When they moved closer, a horrific sight unfolded. Several emaciated dogs were crowded and hunched around something – they were hungrily feasting on the remains of another dog.

They were fighting amongst each other for a small meal. The stronger dogs dominated, while weak dogs sat at a distance and watched helplessly. Nearby, a weak dog was screaming because several dogs were trying to bite her. The sound of dogs fighting could be heard in the distance intermittently. The dogs were starving, and very skinny – they had not had a proper food source for weeks.

About 15 more dogs were seen resting among the mangroves. Inspector Murugan walked through the swampland and quickly emptied two 15-kilo bags of dog food onto the sand, and filled up a bucket with clean drinking water. The dogs immediately rushed out towards the food, and ate hungrily.

Upon reaching back to the main island (Pulau Ketam), the team met with the Sungai Lima village head (also facing a stray dog crisis), and Mr Loo (Secretary of Ketam Dogs Catching Committee). They agreed to cooperate with SPCA & SAS on emergency rescue and relief efforts for the abandoned dogs, as well as long-term plans sterilize the dogs and either rehome or relocate them.

Today (6^th May 2009), Jacqueline from SAS, SPCA Animal Inspectors, SPCA Vet Dr Goh and SPCA Kennel worker Maran have gone to Pulau Selat Kering to start catching and transporting as many abandoned dogs back to the main island of Pulau Ketam for rehabilitation and safekeeping. Dogs that are too weak or sickly will be euthanized humanely on the spot, to prevent them from suffering further.

The dogs will be provided with food and water everyday, and will be monitored while confined in cages. Once they are healthy enough, the dogs will be neutered and re-homed or re-located.Thus far, 10 cages have been secured (5 donated, and 5 purchased by SPCA) for the transportation and confinement of the dogs.

Inhumane Councils vs Animal Rescuers in Pulau Ketam

News From SPCA Selangor
For release on Wednesday, 14th April 2009

KLANG, 12 APRIL 2009 – The SPCA Selangor Animal Inspectors and 4 officers from the Department of Veterinary Services visited Pulau Ketam and a neighbouring village on Sunday, in response to further complaints regarding the catching and dumping of stray dogs from Pulau Ketam on nearby uninhabited Islands.

Dr Hamdan bin Ahmad and 3 officers from the DVS, SPCA Assistant Animal Inspector V. Murugan, Global Animal Welfare Solutions (GAWS) consultant Glyn Roberts and several animal rescuers surveyed the villages and spoke to villagers about the stray dog crisis unfolding on the island.

(Cages used to transport dogs to the island)


(Animal rescuers Joanne and Leigh looking at dog traps made by a villager)

Pulau Ketam consists of two settlements - Pulau Ketam Village and Sungai Lima Village. Both villages claim to have been facing a stray dog crisis for the last several years.

Last week, newspapers reported that Pulau Ketam villagers were trapping stray dogs and transporting them to a vacant islands in a desperate attempt to reduce the population of dogs.

Sungai Lima villagers were planning to start a similar operation, but after discussions on Sunday both groups have agreed to suspend trapping until after a meeting next week with SPCA Selangor, DVS and Majlis Perbandaran Klang.

(Dogs living beneath the houses and shops)

Pulau Ketam villagers informed the officers that an estimated 200 to 400 dogs had already been trapped and abandoned on uninhabited Pulau Tengah out of an estimated population of 2000, while Sungai Lima villagers estimated their stray dog population to be around 600.

Despite a visit lasting a number of hours, neither the SPCA or DVS Officials saw more than 20-30 dogs altogether at both locations - although the villagers stated that the dogs only appeared when the tide came in and spent their time living beneath the houses and walkways which are built on stilts .


No dogs were seen on the island which was said to be the location where the dogs were abandoned, although landing on the island for a closer inspection was impossible due to the muddy shoreline.

The interior of the island was stated to be solid, with illegal logging being undertaken.

“Stray dogs are a human problem and borne out of our negligence and irresponsibility. SPCA strongly proposes spay/neuter of all owned pets to reduce the over-breeding of unwanted pets.

This is the most humane way to stop this overpopulation. Throwing dogs onto uninhabitable islands is cruel as these dogs will meet miserable and cruel deaths in time to come,” said SPCA Selangor Chairperson Christine Chin.

SPCA Selangor works closely with DVS on Municipal Pound issues largely concentrating on the plight of stray dogs.

In May last year, DVS came up with the Guidelines on Humane Stray Dog Control highlighting the 5 Freedoms for animals as a priority.

Despite a directive from DVS Director-General Dato Dr Aziz against the shooting of stray dogs, rebellious councils continue to do so at the risk of hurting citizens and maiming stray dogs without killing them instantly.

This is a cruel and barbaric act on the Councils' part.

The SPCA Selangor will be attending the meeting next week to see if a humane, long-term solution to both the stray dog problem and abandoned dogs can be reached.

DVS vs Municipal Councils, Russia bans baby seal hunting

10th March 2009 - THE Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has given three Selangor local councils a month to construct dog pounds in accordance with its guidelines or face being slapped with action for animal cruelty.


The order was issued by department director-general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin in response to a Malay Mail report last Friday which highlighted that Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Klang Municipal Council and Kajang Municipal Council were allegedly housing captured strays, as well as licenced dogs, in the councils’ vans and trucks as these councils do not possess their own animal pounds.

Deeming the councils’ actions as unacceptable, Dr Abd Aziz said his department had given them more than enough time to abide by the guidelines on the housing and extermination of strays.

“By the end of next month, if they do not have their own pounds, they will face action for animal cruelty offences,” he told Malay Mail.

Full story

Russia announced on Wednesday that it would ban the hunting of baby seals, effectively shutting one of the world's largest hunting grounds in the controversial trade in seal fur.
The decision is yet another blow to an age-old industry that has been losing a public relations battle in recent years to animal-rights groups, who have gained public support by using stark photographs of harp seal pups less than a month old being clubbed to death on blood-stained ice flows.

In addition, the European Union is considering a ban of all seal products — similar to one that the United States adopted decades ago — which would eliminate a key trade route and end market for the furs. And even in Canada, where the world's largest seal hunt is scheduled to begin later this month and top leaders vigorously defend the industry, a legislator for the first time introduced a proposal to curtail sealing.

Full story

Dog Rescue in Puchong, Abandoned Cats Update

Animal rescuer Pat Lim contacted the SPCA Chairperson regarding the urgent rescue of a dog she had seen in the Puchong area. One night while she was out for dinner, she saw this dog rummaging through garbage bins looking for food.

She could not see the dog clearly in the dim light, but could make out that it had what appeared to be a dark brown circle around its neck.

Several days later, she came back to check on it with the SPCA Driver Samy and Vet Assistant Kenny Thean and found it sleeping under a car.

To their horror, the poor dog had a wire tightly wound around its neck, cutting deep and leaving a gaping wound! They managed to catch the dog and transport it to a private vet where Pat Lim and a friend are having it treated and subsequently rehomed.

SPCA salutes all the dedicated animal rescuers who continue to do great work for the animals!



You probably remember our News Alert last Saturday about the 45 abandoned cats we rescued from an apartment in Ampang, after they had been left to live in their own filth for several weeks.

On Monday, our Animal Inspector Cunera and GAWS consultant Glyn returned to retrieve the remaining cats, and managed to bring back all 8 cats.

The news has since been published in several local dailies and on several forums online, and we are so very happy to have received hundreds of calls from concerned members of the public, wanting to find out more about these poor cats.

More than half had to be euthanized as they were too weak and sick, but the others are for adoption. Most of them are semi-feral and nervous, and their medical history is unknown.

Adopters must be experienced cat handlers, their current cats vaccinated and healthy, and they must have a facility to keep these cats confined and separated from other cats.

We’ve received over a hundred calls and e-mails today alone after the article got published in The Star Metro, we hope these kind people will come to the shelter over the weekend to adopt these cats!

Breaking News: What Went On Behind Closed Doors

News From SPCA Selangor For release on Sunday, 15th Feb 2009

On Friday, 13th February 2009, the SPCA Selangor Front Office received a call from the management office of an apartment complex in Ampang. Neighbours had been complaining about the stench emanating from an apartment where some cats had been abandoned, when the tenant suddenly disappeared.

Nothing could have prepared SPCA Staff for what they found in the apartment.

Friday
SPCA driver Rajesparan went to the apartment on Friday afternoon to survey the situation and remove the cats. Upon entering the apartment, the smell of animal waste was suffocating. The living room floor was covered in pools of faeces and urine. There were dozens of cats in the living room, kitchen, wash area and even on the air-conditioning units hovering above the balcony. He managed to rescue 11 cats and kittens that afternoon, and left plenty of food and water for the remaining cats until they could be rescued the following day.

Food and water had been left behind until SPCA staff returned the next morning

Their owners had allegedly vacated the apartment two months ago, apparently leaving behind their maid with the cats. The maid had run away in last two weeks, leaving the cats without access to food or water and living in layers of filth. The majority of the cats and kittens were in a heart-wrenching state – emaciated, sick or suffering from bad skin conditions. All of them were frightened and almost feral in their behaviour.

5-6 cats were perched on the air-con units or on the metal brackets

Saturday
On Saturday morning at 10am, SPCA staff Lursamy and Jacinta Johnson, and Global Animal Welfare Solutions (GAWS) consultant Glyn Roberts went to retrieve the balance of the cats and kittens.

L: Carrying in the cages and equipment | R: The floor was covered in faeces

There was a lone cat sitting in the living room balcony, which scrambled away when the team entered. Hovering above the balcony clinging tightly to the air-conditioning units were another 6-7 cats. After checking that the bedrooms were clear of cats, the team proceeded to the kitchen.

The wash area where cats hid one on top of the other among the carriers and rubbish

L: Kittens clung to the cage bars in fear | R: Litterboxes full to the brim with faeces

Adjoining the kitchen was a wash area, where several cages, carriers and a cat condo had been stacked. Two litterboxes on the floor were filled to the brim with faeces and urine, and the floor was covered in animal waste as well. More than 30 petrified faces met ours – there were cats and kittens clinging onto the cages, climbing up the windows, stuffed in carriers and hidden among the rubbish on the floor. After clearing the kitchen of broken glass, scattered utensils and debris, the cats were shoo-ed into the kitchen a few at a time. Glyn and Samy used special gloves and a pole to catch them and place them securely into cages, moving them in batches into the living room.

Lursamy attempts to catch one of the less nervous cats, after getting a deep scratch from another

"It is likely that the owners let the cats breed out of control and then confined most of the growing kittens in the wash room area. It would have taken months to get this bad. Due to the large number and lack of human contact the cats had become semi-feral and difficult to handle. Be a responsible pet owner and always get your cat or dog neutered. Don't leave the SPCA to pick up the pieces,” comments Roberts.

34 cats and kittens were retrieved on Saturday. One cat had managed to climb out the wash area window, while 5-6 other cats were perched on the air-con units in the living room balcony. Not wanting to provoke them and risk them falling 4-floors down, the team left the doors open so that cats could climb back down safely and go into the apartment to eat, drink and rest.

The 45 cats and kittens were brought back and are housed temporarily at the SPCA Cat Quarantine area. Sadly, 20 cats had to be euthanized on Sunday morning as they were very sick and weak. The other cats are under observation for the next few days, after which they will either be vaccinated and put up for adoption, placed in foster homes or euthanized humanely.

These are pictures of some of the cats that are still under observation in the quarantine area. They have been through so much in the last few months, and are traumatised and under-weight. If you think you can even give even one of these cats or kittens a second chance at a normal life, please call 4256 5312/ 4253 5179 or e-mail us at spca@streamyx.com immediately.

SPCA Staff will be going back to rescue the balance of the cats on Monday. The apartment management will be forwarding SPCA copies of a police report that they lodged, whilst they also try to track down the tenant through the owner of the apartment.

Hell Holes created by MPKlang, MPKajang and MPAmpang Jaya

Recent investigations into stray dog control measures by local municipals highlighted the hell holes that stray dogs impounded are thrown into. These Municipals do not even have pounds.

MPKlang operates an inhumane and detestable "pound". MPKlang has promised over the years that they will build a new pound and stop using wires to catch stray and owners' dogs. Through the years, SPCA's letters and calls to action to MP Klang have fallen on deaf ears. MPKlang keeps the stray dogs in a truck. To SPCA's knowledge there is no food and water provided. The wires cut into the throats and bodies of dogs and puppies causing immense pain and a slow and extremely painful death. This cruelty is against the law and directly violate Section 44 Animals Act 1953 (revised 2006) - yet no changes and charges are made.

MPKajang is also another Municipal that contributes directly to the cruelty of stray and owned dogs. Stray and owners' dogs are kept in this truck. Again, we are not aware that food and water are provided. The truck is kept hidden from public view and there is no way an owner can retrieve his dog.



MPAJ also has no pound and relies on their dog-catching contractor, Vet-Fine S/B, to catch and destroy stray and owners' dogs. The dogs are kept in vans, for days without food and water. Vet-Fine S/B are implicated in many atrocities involving the capture and inhumane killing of stray and owners' dogs. SPCA has reported Vet-Fine's alleged cruelty to DVS and VAM but no action has been taken. SPCA has been verbally abused and threatened by Vet-Fine dog catchers in this process of gathering information.

Next week we will highlight other pounds, as well as contact details for each pound that you can write e-mails and letters to and voice your concerns!

Face to Face with DBKL

In light of the recent controversy surrounding DBKL, the SPCA Chairperson called for a meeting to discuss serious allegations that DBKL are strangling stray dogs and drowning cats.

The meeting was attended by Dr Hamdan bin Ahmad( Head of Animal Welfare Dept, DVS), Christine Chin, Dr Lim, Dr Suhanna, Dr Goh, Mr Krishnan, Dr Zaidi (DBKL), and Mr Chandrakahn (DBKL Pound Manager).

SPCA highlighted that this is a new era of responsibility, accountability, reality, transparency and humanity. There is nowhere to hide for animal abusers. DBKL vehemently denied the allegations and are ameniable to compliance of the DVS Guidelines for stray animal control (May 2008).

SPCA has investigated the earlier allegation in Nov 08, and also alerted DVS who contacted DBKL to get their story - there was no hard evidence of strangulation or drowning. SPCA said SPCA Klinik Kembiri @ DBKL will close in protest if the allegations prove to be true.

Copies of the Guidelines were distributed to all present at the meeting. In compliance to the guidelines that prioritized animal welfare, DBKL has agreed to;

• get a qualified Vet to do the euthanasia of the dogs and cats once a week
• anaesthetize aggressive and nervous dogs before putting down so as to reduce the stress inflicted on the dogs. This will incur higher costs.
• create humane conditions for euthanizing animals e.g. a separate room
• Attempt to rehome dogs, after being spayed or neutered by SPCA KK.
• mandatory microchipping
• differential licensing for neutered and unneutered dogs
  

The root causes of strays are irresponsible owners who allow their un-neutered dogs to roam or abandon their un-neutered dogs, and they need to be addressed and penalized via effective and sensible legislation. We also highlighted an FBI fact that animal abusers are 5 times more likely to abuse children, women and be a menace to society - so cruelty to animals hardly ends there.