Latest news with #straydogs
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wakefield Council's bill for stray dogs rises by £10,000
The annual cost of dealing with stray dogs in Wakefield has risen by more than £10,000, in part due to the cost of living crisis, a meeting Council spent £56,388 in 2024-25, up from £44,654 in the previous financial Wilton, cabinet member for communities, said the increase was partly down to the council entering into a new kennelling contract and requirements to comply with legislation on XL he said: "We need to take into account external factors such as the cost of living crisis and the fact that a lot of people are not taking ownership of dogs due to cost of living pressures and austerity." The meeting was told 194 animals were collected by the council's dog wardens in 2024/ those, 76 were reunited with their owners, 61 went to rehoming centres and 44 were to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, there had also been an increase in the number of dogs being put down after being taken taken to the council's dog meeting heard nine out the 44 dogs euthanised in 2024/25 were XL laws banning the breed in England and Wales took effect in February said: "We have also seen an increase in dog owners who haven't been able to pay for the release of the dogs from the kennels, or have been too ill for them to recover the dog."Unfortunately, they have had to be euthanised."This may have also contributed to the escalating costs to the council as we will have paid for the kennelling until the dogs were euthanised."Witton said the council employed "a small team" of three dog wardens, who were "working very hard to reunite dogs with their owners before taking them to the kennels".Pete Girt, independent councillor for Knottingley, told the meeting: "A good part of the reason why dogs aren't reclaimed is because when people move they don't update the chip, so then the owner can't be traced." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt sticks to existing stray management policy but open to proposals
Presently captured strays are placed in shelters where they can be reclaimed by their owners, while unclaimed dogs are put up for adoption, says a government spokesman. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The government says it will maintain its longstanding trap-reclaim-rehome-dispose (TRRD) approach to managing stray dogs, while remaining open to alternative proposals. The housing and local government ministry said it viewed the TRRD framework as the most practical approach for now, balancing between safeguarding public safety and ensuring strays are treated humanely. 'We believe that the structured implementation of the existing TRRD method provides a practical system with potential to improve any shortcomings encountered,' a ministry spokesman told FMT. The spokesman said Putrajaya was open to suggestions but needed to exercise 'extreme caution' when considering alternative proposals. According to the spokesman, the ministry would first need to obtain feedback from other agencies and conduct a comprehensive study into the proposed measures—evaluating their efficacy, time and cost implications, practicality and social acceptance. Local governments are currently guided by a 2014 standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the ministry, which prescribes the use of the TRRD method for stray management. This involves capturing strays and placing them in shelters from where owners can reclaim their pets. Unclaimed dogs will then be put up for adoption, while the remaining may be put to sleep by a licensed veterinarian. Last November, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming assured that euthanasia was only a 'last resort' measure under the TRRD approach. Nga Kor Ming. He said only strays that were sick or risked posing a nuisance or danger to the public would be put down. Nga also said the guidelines in force were in line with the Animal Welfare Act 2015, drawn up with input from the veterinary services department, local councils and animal welfare groups. NGOs can hold own trap-neuter-release programmes While it has not formally endorsed the trap-neuter-release (TNR) method mooted by several NGOs, the spokesman said the ministry was not opposed to its implementation—either by the NGOs independently or in collaboration with local councils—-provided it does not lead to complaints about public nuisance or pose safety and health concerns. 'If complaints are received, the local authority, veterinary department and other agencies will act in accordance with current SOPs,' the spokesman added. The ministry said it is presently finalising additional technical requirements to harmonise the implementation of the TRRD approach across local councils nationwide, with a greater emphasis on rehoming and reclaiming dogs wherever possible. The spokesman added that it would continue working with NGOs, veterinary professionals and the public to find practical and long-term solutions that protect both humans and animals. In April, the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) submitted a budget proposal for the implementation of a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return-manage method to stray management by local councils nationwide. The NGO proposed a nationwide sterilisation programme, supported by government-funded shelters in every district—where 'problematic' dogs would be housed, while others are neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their original locations.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cover bail-out fee for strays, animal welfare NGO tells govt
Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming has given an assurance that euthanasia will only be used as a 'last resort' under the trap-reclaim-rehome-dispose approach towards strays. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An animal welfare NGO has urged the government to cover all bail-out fees imposed by local authorities on stray dogs. Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) said these fees are financially burdensome for many groups and often applied inconsistently. R Kalaivanan. 'The fees range from hundreds to thousands of ringgit per dog,' its president, R Kalaivanan, said. 'This inconsistency creates an unfair and unsustainable challenge for NGOs working on limited budgets. 'The bail-out process should be smooth and easy, allowing the NGOs to quickly rescue animals without unnecessary delays or complications. 'This will enable the NGOs to focus on their mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome stray animals without huge financial implications.' In a statement, Kalaivanan also proposed that groups be given at least 14 days to rescue strays. This is to ensure that every stray has the opportunity to be rehabilitated and rehomed. He said efforts to reduce the stray population in Malaysia are not the sole responsibility of animal groups or shelters as the government plays an important role in supporting animal welfare efforts. 'We are already helping the government to reduce the stray population in a humane manner. We need government support to ensure these efforts are sustainable and have a lasting impact,' he said. Yesterday, the government said it would maintain its long-standing trap-reclaim-rehome-dispose (TRRD) approach to manage stray dogs. A housing and local government ministry spokesman said TRRD is the most practical approach to deal with strays. However, the spokesman said the ministry is open to suggestions but needs to exercise 'extreme caution' when considering alternative proposals. Last November, its minister, Nga Kor Ming, gave an assurance that euthanasia would only be used as a 'last resort' measure under the TRRD approach. He said only strays that are sick or pose a nuisance or danger to the public would be put down.
Free Malaysia Today
16-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Town council defends culling of strays after accusation it flouted rules
The Sungai Petani Municipal Council said three dogs were put to sleep because they were unlicensed and were considered strays. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sungai Petani Municipal Council has confirmed that three stray dogs were put down within 24 hours of capture, but said it had adhered to by-laws, contrary to a claim that the council had flouted the rules. Hazwani Harif, a volunteer dog feeder, said she had found out that the strays were picked up by council workers near the Denai Alam civil servants' housing project in Sungai Petani on Wednesday morning. She said she immediately raised funds to pay the council fees required to retrieve the dogs. However, when she and a fellow animal rescuer arrived at the council pound at about 1:30pm the next day, they discovered that the dogs had been put to sleep. Hazwani, 36, said the council's by-laws on stray animals stipulate that captured strays are to be kept for seven days before any further action is taken. 'If they followed this, those dogs would still be alive,' Hazwani told FMT. She said she had emailed the council on Friday, seeking clarification on their procedures, and the status of the dogs, but has yet to receive a reply. Hazwani, who had been caring for the stray dogs since her time working with a housing developer in the area, said she had always intended to relocate the animals responsibly before moving out next year. She said the dogs were not aggressive and she has known them for years. 'They just needed a chance. We're not asking the council to take responsibility for them, only to give us time to find a solution.' Hazwani said culling should not be the default response. 'It feels like it's always kill first, ask questions later. Where's the compassion?' When contacted, the legal department of the municipal council said they were permitted to put the dogs to sleep under municipal by-laws on dog licensing. The council said the action was taken following a complaint lodged on June 23. Upon inspection, the dogs were found to be unlicensed and without metal tags, which under the 1995 by-law qualifies them to be treated as strays. 'The municipal council has the authority to dispose of any dog found in a public place without a metal tag at any time,' the council said, adding that the euthanising of dogs was carried out by officers of the Kuala Muda veterinary office, in line with standard procedures.
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Aunty Jenny, guardian of Klang's forgotten stray dogs
Jenny Khong has been rescuing dogs for 25 years. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) KLANG : For housewife Jenny Khong, it started 25 years ago with a single scruffy pup her son rescued. Already known in Klang for feeding strays, Jenny's devotion to stray dogs grew – and so did her reputation, drawing angry residents to her feeding spots. 'I go out and feed the dogs around midnight because if I go out early, people will be waiting for me. They've scolded me, 'why do you come here and feed the dogs? Because of you, there are more dogs here,' Khong, 62, shared with FMT Lifestyle. 'I have no choice. I still have to say sorry to them because I don't want anything to happen to the dogs,' she added. One rescue became many, and soon her home was overrun by dogs. After years of sending them to a nearby shelter, she opened her own in 2014 – and eventually, a proper facility to keep up with the growing numbers. The shelter in Klang houses nearly 80 stray and abandoned dogs. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) 'Luckily, there was a person who gave me this area, built it up for me to house my dogs,' she recalled, referring to her current shelter. Today, Khong cares for over 80 dogs, including 30 she moved from her old shelter after Chinese New Year this year. Tucked down a dirt road in Pandamaran, Klang, Jenny's tidy shelter has secure enclosures, crates for tougher cases. Her day starts early – letting the dogs out, cleaning for hours with her two live-in workers, then feeding the dogs after a quick lunch break. 'Some shelters just use one big feeding container for all the dogs. I don't like that. Here, every dog gets its own bowl,' Khong explained. After mealtime, everyone rests, then the next clean-up starts before calling it a day, only to do it all over again tomorrow. Khong spends the entire day with her shelter dogs. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Khong's dedication knows no bounds. Years of caring for dogs took a toll on her health – she has undergone spinal surgery and now struggles with swollen legs. But quitting was never an option. Giving these animals a second chance means too much. 'I pity the dogs. I cannot just let them go out like that. And some of the dogs that people dump … when you look at them … their condition is very, very pitiful,' she said. One of her most memorable rescues is Tony, a cancer-stricken dog whose owners wanted him put down. She took Tony in, and nursed him back to health – but when she offered to return him, his owners didn't want him back. 'He said he already took in another puppy,' she said of Tony's previous owner. 'This made me really sad because from small Tony was with the owner.' That moment sealed her decision: Tony would stay with her. Today, he's one of the beloved old-timers at the shelter. Each dog at the shelter has its own bowl of food. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Caring for dogs like Tony, however, doesn't just take time and love – it takes a lot of money too. Running the shelter, which includes paying her helpers, costs over RM7,000 a month. Vet visits, which are frequent, can easily rack up bills of RM1,000 or more each time. That's why, beyond caring for her own pack, Khong is passionate about tackling the root problem. When asked how to reduce the number of strays, she didn't mince words. 'I really don't understand why all these owners who have been keeping the dogs for so long … just dump them outside and let them suffer. The government should do something about it. This is the only solution. 'They should have a law to fine those who abandon their dogs on the streets. As rescuers, we can't do much,' she said. Khong says she pities the dogs which are abandoned and so will keep on rescuing them. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) While Khong is content with being the guardian of Klang's unwanted dogs, she still pins her hopes on more kind-hearted Malaysians chipping in to help keep the shelter running. 'I really need people to come forward to help me … donations for the dogs' medical bills, their food, and my helpers. I'm not working. 'And to all who have donated and supported me all these years, I want to say thank you,' she concluded. If you wish to donate to Jenny Khong's shelter, contact her son Lester at 017-669-5142.
