NGOs: Stop killing, even stray dogs

A group of independent animal activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is calling on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to stop the culling of dogs in the state following the rabies outbreak.

A committee member of the coalition of the NGOs, 'Stop Killing, Start Vaccinating', Joel Gurprit Singh said killing the dogs would not be a permanent solution to the outbreak.

He said Lim had not practised transparent administration when dealing with the rabies outbreak and many NGOs were not consulted before the state came to the decision to kill dogs.

"I'm very disappointed with his decision to kill stray dogs as it is not the permanent solution to the problem," he told reporters during a peaceful protest against the state's move to cull stray dogs, on Sunday.

He said the state should start vaccinating instead of killing dogs to check the rabies outbreak.

"If there is shortage of vaccine, a global NGO is willing to offer the vaccine for stray dogs in Penang," he said.

Over 60 representatives of various NGOs carrying placards with the words, "Stop killing", gathered at the Speakers' Corner of the Esplanade in protest of the state government's move.

However, Lim Shiang Mey, a representative of Penang Hope of Strays, said a group of NGOs had had a discussion on the matter with Lim and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) officers.

She said Lim informed the group that the decision to cull dogs came from the the Health Department and DVS.

"Lim told us that he would agree to stop the culling of dogs provided the DVS agreed there was a better way to contain the rabies outbreak," she said.

She added that according to Lim, the decision to stop the culling of dogs must come from the federal health and veterinary services departments and not from the state.

The culling activity was announced by Lim last Thursday to check the outbreak of rabies in the state.

Last Friday, a group of NGOs gathered in front of the state government office in Komtar to call on the state government to stop the mass culling of stray animals.