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Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- 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.
Daily Express
18-07-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Government sticks to existing stray management policy but open to proposals
Published on: Friday, July 18, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 18, 2025 By: Yee Suet Mun, FMT Text Size: 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. Advertisement '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. 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. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
27-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Compassion for strays, not conflict
A FEEDER and rescuer of strays in Ipoh collapsed and died recently, believed to be from a heart attack. 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.
