- Stray But Not Soulless: Rethinking Our Social Contract With Dogs

Barnama

2 days ago

Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors.
The discourse around stray management has recently reached a tipping point, following a series of controversial law-enforcement incidents – most notably the shooting of Kopi , a street dog well-loved for its gentle nature – and the Negeri Sembilan state government's plan to cull stray dogs.
The population and welfare management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) remains a longstanding and contentious issue that the Malaysian government continues to find challenging to manage.
In Asia , over 300 million canines roam the streets, many deprived of basic necessities such as shelter, food, and water, and afflicted with various diseases.
While there are no official statistics for the FRD population in Malaysia, the global dog population is estimated at 700 million – of which 75% are FRDs.
They may cause property damage, threaten wildlife through resource competition, and transmit infectious diseases. Up to 99% of human rabies cases results from dog bites, with a fatality rate approaching 100%. For this reason, rabies prevention has become inextricably linked with dog population management.
Meanwhile, the unregulated growth of stray dog populations can have significant implications for public safety and health.
To control the FRD population, many countries have resorted to culling and euthanasia. The Malaysian government primarily employs a capture-and-kill strategy, with local councils spending almost RM10 million annually to hire catchers and euthanise strays.
This practice is met with public resistance over ethical concerns, with particularly fierce criticism from animal welfare groups and rights activists, who have consistently championed more humane evidence-based approaches like the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) strategy, which not only align with global welfare standards but have also proven more effective than culling in controlling populations over time.
Ying et al. (2024) posit that dog populations can be effectively controlled through high-intensity and long-term TNR interventions, particularly when more than 75% of female dogs are sterilised.
Success stories can be drawn from Thailand, where a five-year Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (CNVR) programme implemented in Bangkok resulted in a 24.7% reduction in dog population density, a 5.7% monthly decrease in rabies cases, and improved human-dog relationships.
Similarly, Bhutan became the first country to sterilise its entire FRD population in under two years, through the 'Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme', which was reinforced by strong local stakeholder collaboration, robust policy support, increased funding, and a whole-of-nation approach.
A growing body of research confirms that fertility control is not only more humane but more effective and sustainable than culling in reducing FRD populations over time, especially when implemented consistently and at scale.
While culling may lead to an initial decline in dog numbers, the removed individuals are often replaced through compensatory breeding and migration from surrounding areas.
However, TNR alone is insufficient to manage the stray population due to abandonment, failure to neuter owned pets, and the migration of other dogs into previously sterilised areas, all of which contribute to a continuous influx of new individuals.
When fertility control is complemented by other measures, such as movement restriction and sheltering, it can lead to a greater reduction in the FRD birth rate.
Vaccination cost-effective way to address canine rabies
More importantly, mass vaccination is the most cost-effective way to tackle canine rabies, as vaccinating at least 70% of dogs in a given area establishes herd immunity. In contrast, culling vaccinated dogs undermines this effort, while the open disposal of carcasses poses additional risks of disease transmission and environmental harm.
Pet vaccination was previously enforced by the Malaysian government, particularly in areas affected by rabies outbreaks. However, many pet owners remain reluctant to support this measure, as vaccination is not mandatory.
This lack of owner compliance undermines broader rabies prevention efforts, underscoring the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Dogs are among humans' most beloved pet companions. However, without a voice of their own, they remain highly vulnerable to cruelty and neglect.
The Malaysian government's regulations on dog culling do not align with the animal welfare standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Malaysia's poor performance in the Animal Protection Index (API) 2020 further reflects weak legislation and limited political commitment to animal protection (Munir et al., 2023).
Animals are often treated as mere property, driven by the erroneous belief that they lack emotions and are incapable of experiencing pain.
To strengthen animal welfare initiatives, countries such as the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Peru and Sweden have legally recognised animal sentience, protecting animals from negative experiences (e.g. hunger, thirst, pain, fear) while promoting positive welfare (e.g. mental wellness, resilience, supportive social relationships).
In contrast, Malaysia's Animal Welfare Act (2015) fails to recognise this important principle.
Huge increase in animal abuse cases
The Department of Veterinary Services (DPV) reported 7,613 cases of animal abuse and neglect between 2021 and 2024, marking an exponential increase compared to previous years.
Of these, dog abuse accounted for the largest share (5,226), followed by cats (1,900). Regrettably, only 52 perpetrators were prosecuted, with nine sentenced to prison, 30 fined, and four placed on good behaviour bonds.
However, these figures likely represent only a fraction of the true scale of animal abuse in Malaysia, as many cases go unreported and undetected.
The Animal Welfare Act (2015) has done little to deter animal cruelty, primarily due to gaps in enforcement. Instead, offenders are frequently charged under the Penal Code, which often results in more lenient punishments and higher recidivism rates (Zulkifli, 2022; Ismail, 2024).
Furthermore, systematic reviews have shown that animal abuse is closely associated with other forms of violence, including domestic and intimate partner abuse.
Animal abusers are also believed to exhibit traits common among perpetrators of other violent crimes, such as aggression, anti-social behaviour, and coercion. In some cases, animal cruelty may serve as a precursor to more severe criminal behaviour.
Addressing the twin challenges of stray overpopulation and rabies control requires more than reactive culling – it demands a coordinated, rights-based strategy grounded in animal welfare. A truly sustainable approach should be built on six mutually reinforcing pillars:
Nationwide CNVR implementation: The Malaysian government should roll out a long-term, nationwide Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (CNVR) programme – prioritising areas with high rabies prevalence and frequent dog attack cases. This must be backed by robust policy support, adequate funding, and strong local partnerships involving veterinary clinics, animal welfare groups, shelters, and trained volunteers. Fertility control and mass vaccination remain the most cost-effective and humane solutions for long-term impact.
Public awareness and compassion-building: Launch targeted digital campaigns via short videos, social media content, and podcasts to raise public understanding of animal rights, promote adoption over commercial breeding, and shift societal attitudes. Partner with local leaders, shelters, and advocacy groups to foster a culture of compassion and shared responsibility.
Rabies education and preparedness: Integrate rabies prevention and post-bite care into school curricula and public outreach programmes. A 2020 survey revealed that most Malaysians lack basic knowledge about rabies and its treatment. Regular workshops and community briefings can close these awareness gaps and improve public health outcomes.
Responsible pet ownership: Encourage microchipping and mandate rabies vaccination for all owned dogs, linked to a centralised digital system. This would help trace lost animals and reduce the risk of abandonment, a major driver of the free-roaming dog population.
Stronger enforcement and humane handling: Equip law enforcement and local councils with the training and legal tools to uphold the Animal Welfare Act (2015). Standard operating procedures must be enforced to ensure that stray management is conducted humanely, with accountability mechanisms in place.
Support for shelters and NGOs: Many shelters and welfare organisations operate on minimal resources. The government should provide targeted financial aid and help secure sponsorships to cover operational and veterinary costs, improve infrastructure, support rescue missions, and sustain community engagement.
Together, these pillars form a cohesive national strategy that is not only more ethical than culling, but demonstrably more effective in achieving lasting results. By investing in long-term, systemic solutions, Malaysia can shift from reactive control to responsible coexistence.
-- BERNAMA
Dr Margarita Peredaryenko and Avyce Heng are part of the research team at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.