Compassion for strays, not conflict
Before tragedy struck that day, she had cooked huge pots of rice and chicken for the many street dogs that depended on her for their daily sustenance.
Being a responsible feeder, she also ensured that the dogs she fed were caught and neutered to prevent an increase in their population.
Those who knew her, said she had complained of fatigue and dizzy spells.
It is common for dedicated rescuers and feeders to neglect their health in pursuit of caring for the voiceless.
There are many genuine rescuers like her who feed and neuter strays to prevent street and stray dogs from foraging for food, creating a ruckus during mating season and littering indiscriminately.
Their biggest fear is that stray dogs and their puppies will be caught by local authority dog catchers and euthanised.
These dog lovers and carers are also careful not to raise the ire of those in authority, for fear that the dogs may end up suffering.
In the last few years, unfortunately, other quarters have used the plight of street dogs to rabble-rouse and spew belligerence against decision-makers.
Their actions make things difficult for genuine animal rescuers and activists in their efforts to help stray dogs.
The non-genuine group made a mistake of organising demonstrations in front of Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) in February, instead of having negotiations.
What followed was a circular to local councils in early May, supposedly from the ministry, rejecting the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) stray management system in favour of the Trap-Reclaim-Rehome-Dispose (TRRD) method that is currently in use.
Currently, because of TRRD, many rescuers are spending thousands of ringgit to reclaim dogs caught and relocate them.
How many farms can continue taking in the countless bailed-out dogs daily?
Under the preferred TNR, not only are the dogs released after being 'fixed', they are also managed and fed every day.
Before the demonstrations by the other group, DVS had regularly invited licensed shelters for events that paved the path for discussions.
The camaraderie that was being built came crashing down after the demonstrations, while social events with DVS abruptly stopped.
It is believed the circular had also thrown the spanner into negotiations between a renowned shelter and a local council to try out the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) method.
It is time those professing to fight for the 'rights' of street animals understand that animals do not have any rights.
Their only chance of survival is through compassion and understanding.
This can only be achieved through discourse and reasoning and not through confrontation and hostility.
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