Yalinie Mathan
Residents of Taman Island Glades in Penang, Malaysia, have been left heartbroken by the deaths of dozens of dogs over the past month, suspected to have been poisoned. The Penang Island City Council’s ‘Trap, Neuter and Release’ program has neutered or spayed the dead dogs under the program, which vaccinates them against rabies before releasing them back into the wild.
Residents and animal welfare groups are now pleading with the state authorities to investigate and take action against the dog killer, who has claimed the lives of 29 dogs so far. The residents claimed that they also found dead cats and birds in the neighbourhood.
As per Spay Adopt Manage Assist (Sama), the death toll of community pets in the Island Glades Delima area has risen to 29 after the latest victim, Scoppy, passed away at midnight on April 4th, 2023.
Discovery of dead dogs
Animal lover David Yim told The Star that on Sunday alone, four dogs were found dead, and another one was found dead the next day. Plastic bags of food believed to be poisoned were found near the carcasses, he added. Several dog feeders have lodged reports with the police and the state Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Residents and animal welfare groups suspect the strays had been poisoned as they were well taken care of by the residents for years, kept clean and well-fed, and had flea guards on them. Some other residents had found the animals suffering from fits and seizures before dying.
Anna Chin, a 67-year-old animal lover, told FMT that she discovered four dog carcasses in the neighbourhood on March 5, one of them behind her house. Four days later, she found four of her own rescued dogs dead in a shed in her compound, along with some dead cats and birds. The animals were found with their mouths ajar and bloated stomachs.
Efforts by animal welfare groups
Local animal welfare groups, such as Spay Adopt Manage Assist (Sama) and International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA), have reached out to the state’s DVS to investigate the deaths. However, they claimed the DVS had told them that its hands were tied as there was no video evidence or eyewitness available.
Instead, DVS suggested that the residents install CCTV cameras around the neighbourhood. Some local groups said they would work on installing CCTVs next week, but the killing may continue until then.
The distraught residents are pleading with the state authorities to take action against the dog killer so that no more dogs, cats, and birds die in such a cruel way. Chin said that they need help from the state authorities.
“Please help us so that there are no more dead dogs, cats and birds. It is not right that they have to die in such a way as they too are God’s creations,” he appealed.
Penalties for Animal Cruelty
The Animal Welfare Act 2015 has specific sections dealing with animal cruelty, the killing of animals, and the administration of poisons. Any person found guilty of an offence under the act can be fined not less than RM20,000, with the maximum fine being RM100,000, or face a maximum of three years in jail, or both.
The killing of dogs, cats, and birds in Taman Island Glades has left the residents devastated. Animal welfare groups have reached out to the state authorities to investigate the deaths and take action against the dog killer.
The Animal Welfare Act 2015 has specific sections dealing with animal cruelty, and those found guilty of the offence can face hefty fines or imprisonment. The state authorities should take immediate action to prevent any more innocent animals from losing their lives in such a cruel way.
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