Councillor: No plans to kill stray dogs

SHAH Alam City Council (MBSA) has no intention of euthanising stray dogs caught in Setia Alam, says its councillor Simon Siow.

“The city council has no intention of killing these stray animals,” he told StarMetro, clarifying recent media reports that MBSA was planning an operation to catch and kill up to 500 stray dogs in hot spots in the area.

“The procedure is to catch strays, and if no owner claims them within seven days, they will be sent to animal welfare organisations,” he said when contacted.

It was earlier reported that volunteers would be rewarded RM30 for each dog caught in the area from April 22 to 24.

Siow revealed that Zone 21, which he is in charge of, has recorded the highest number of stray dogs so far this year.

“The strong words conveyed were intended as a stern warning to pet owners.

“While I personally love dogs, we must consider the safety of the public.

“If stray dogs start to pose a threat, the city council will be held accountable, not the animal welfare organisations,” he added.

In a statement, MBSA said welfare of the dogs would be ensured and all processes to capture them would follow proper procedures.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor expressed its deep concern regarding the proposed capture and culling of stray dogs in Setia Alam.

Its general manager Kelvin Cheah said addressing the stray animal population required a comprehensive approach beyond temporary measures like catching and killing.

“We encourage collaboration with local residents, community leaders and relevant authorities to implement projects like ‘Potong Royong’, which is a mass pet-neutering programme.

“This initiative not only promotes community involvement but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents towards their environment.

“By working together and adopting a proactive approach, we can create a safer, healthier and more compassionate community for both humans and animals alike,” said Cheah.

According to MBSA, from January to March 19, there were 445 complaints about strays in residential areas with 3,289 of such cases reported last year.

MBSA also said it would collaborate with residents representative councils to address the issue of stray dogs in hot spots under the Task Force initiative to catch and prevent strays from becoming a nuisance to the local community.