No need to catch neutered dogs
These managed dogs are not random nuisances, they are a part of our neighbourhoods. Many residents recognise them, feed them, and even name them. They have formed bonds not only with each other but with the community at large. When MBPJ captures these dogs, it is not just removing animals from the streets, it is removing trusted presences that communities have grown to love and protect.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
PJ mayor visits B40 families
Mohamad Zahri (left) and Aznan (third from left) with MBPJ representatives at the home of one of the beneficiaries. — Courtesy photo THIRTY B40 families received cash aid and household essentials from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) under the 'PJ Prihatin' programme, in conjunction with the city's 19th anniversary. The donations were handed out by Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon, who presented three families with RM300 in cash and RM150 worth of food and supplies at their homes. With him were deputy mayor Aznan Hassan and other MPPJ representatives. Among the recipients was 62-year-old Hasimah Wahab, who is bedridden after both her legs were amputated due to complications from diabetes. Another recipient, Omar Syah Sumander Shah who lives in Section 7, is battling severe health complications, including heart and kidney disease. Pangsapuri Gugusan Cempaka resident Azhar Mohamad was the third recipient. MBPJ said in a media statement that donations to the remaining recipients would be distributed by MBPJ councillors in their respective areas. MBPJ also said that the PJ Prihatin programme was part of MBPJ's '10 Thematic Projects' which focused on community well-being and uplifting the urban poor. 'Throughout June, a total of 31 social programmes were carried out with the help of agencies, non-governmental organisations, schools, the private sector and local communities,' MBPJ added.
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Safety at PJ park improved with new walkway, CCTV
A newly built 218m walkway and repaired basketball court surface to better serve the elderly park-goers. — Courtesy photo FACILITIES including the walkway and basketball court at Taman Sunwaymas in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, have been upgraded to improve safety and encourage active use among nearby residents. The park, located along Jalan PJU1/3A near a bustling commercial area and surrounded by neighbourhoods such as Aman Suria, Kampung Cempaka, SS25 and Bukit Mayang, serves a population of around 13,000. It is popular among senior citizens who visit the park in the mornings. Among its regular visitors is Chan Lin Chow, 68, from SS25, who practises tai chi four to five times a week. 'Before the upgrade, the court had sand and cracks that made it slippery and dangerous. 'Now we feel safer and more confident exercising, even at 6am,' he said. The upgrade works by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) included resurfacing and repainting the basketball court, the construction of a 218m pedestrian walkway and refurbishment of the existing gazebo. Kampung Cempaka village chief Theresa Lim said the improvements had a direct impact on the park's elderly users. 'Most of the park's visitors are aged 60 and above. 'The smoother surfaces make it easier to exercise and have brought more people to the park, encouraging a healthier lifestyle,' she said. MBPJ Zone 7 councillor Leong Chee Cheng said the upgrades were carried out from Feb 3 to May 26 at a cost of RM164,365, approved by the city council's Landscape Department. 'To improve security, two CCTV cameras have been installed,' he said. Leong said the surface of the basketball court had gradually sunk over the years due to ground conditions, but has been fully repaired. The contractor who completed the basketball court repair and upgrades handed the site back to MBPJ on June 25, and the city council has been monitoring its condition since. The project is part of MBPJ's broader initiative to improve public parks in Zone 7 as part of Petaling Jaya's smart city goals. 'To date, 17 parks including Taman Sunwaymas have been upgraded. 'Next, we will focus on upgrading the public park in Jalan SS4C/20,' Leong added.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
Stop the round-up of TNRM dogs
I AM writing to urge the Petaling Jaya City Council and other municipal councils across Malaysia to halt the practice of capturing stray dogs that are already being cared for under the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme in Petaling Jaya and beyond. This approach is not only ineffective but is also disheartening for many local rescuers and caregivers who have devoted their time, energy and personal resources to building a more compassionate and sustainable environment for people and animals. These dogs are not random strays or nuisances – they are part of our neighbourhoods. Many residents know them by name, feed them and have formed bonds, not only with each other but with the community at large. When Petaling Jaya City Council captures these dogs, it is not just about removing animals from the streets, it is about removing their trusted presence that communities have grown to love and protect. Under the TNRM model, dogs are trapped humanely, sterilised, vaccinated and released back into their 'home' areas where they pose little threat to public safety. Scientific evidence and global experience show that TNRM helps stabilise and gradually reduce stray populations. Yet, when neutered dogs are caught and removed, it destroys that balance and invites the 'vacuum effect' where new unsterilised dogs migrate into the area, restarting the cycle of unchecked breeding and overpopulation. Rescuers and NGOs in Petaling Jaya are not idle onlookers. These individuals have full-time jobs yet still dedicate their evenings, weekends and savings to care for these animals. When City Council removes sterilised dogs, it invalidates months and sometimes years of effort. Every removed dog equals wasted TNRM funding and vanishing trust in local governance. The emotional toll is immeasurable – rescuers grieve for the dogs they see taken, often without transparency on their fates. Moreover, redirecting dogs to shelters such as PAWS, while well-intentioned, is not a sustainable solution. These facilities are stretched far beyond capacity. Many animals remain confined for years or are euthanised due to space limitations. This should not be the default answer to managing free-roaming dogs. Instead, we urge all city councils to recognise the TNRM community as allies. By working in partnership, city councils can formalise cooperation frameworks with registered NGOs, offer municipal support for neutering campaigns and maintain a database of microchipped or tagged TNRM dogs to prevent mistaken captures. Educational outreach programmes and public awareness campaigns can also help dispel myths about strays and promote responsible pet ownership. The continued capture of TNRM-managed dogs is not only counterproductive and inhumane, it also jeopardises the soul of a community striving towards compassion and coexistence. Let us not cast aside the volunteers who are offering real solutions. We urge the Petaling Jaya City Council to act in solidarity with these efforts and lead Petaling Jaya towards an ethical and effective model of animal management. David C.E. Tneh Petaling Jaya
