Kuala Lumpur - Animal rights groups in Malaysia have condemned a competition that challenges Kuala Lumpur residents to nab hundreds of stray dogs, saying it is cruel and dangerous.

The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) in the north of the capital has offered 39 000 ringgit in prize money to residents who catch the most dogs over the next six months, reports said on Thursday.

Animal protection groups said the money should be channelled towards promoting responsible pet ownership and de-sexing animals, and warned that other local councils could follow suit.

"We understand there is a big problem with stray dogs but (the) actions are distasteful and unhealthy," Christine Chin, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), told The Star newspaper.

"We see MPS turning dog-catching into a fun, festive sport that is rewarding," she added. "This is wrong and the younger generation, especially, will learn from it."

Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim nation but dogs, which are considered unclean under Islam, are commonly kept as pets by the minority Chinese and Indian communities.

Council president Zainal Abidin Azim said they were forced to act after receiving 80 complaints about stray dogs each month. - Sapa-AFP

An Online Petition calling upon the Selayang Municipal Council to stop this barbaric campaign. I would greatly appreciate it if everyone could take the time to sign the petition @ www.petitiononline.com/doghunt2/petition.html

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Moonfish</i>
<br />Kuala Lumpur - Animal rights groups in Malaysia have condemned a competition that challenges Kuala Lumpur residents to nab hundreds of stray dogs, saying it is cruel and dangerous.

The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) in the north of the capital has offered 39 000 ringgit in prize money to residents who catch the most dogs over the next six months, reports said on Thursday.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It is dangerous to catch stray dogs as they maybe having rabies.
And, where to keep the dogs you catch for six months ? Who is gonna feed them ?

The keyword is " abandoned"... Some people keep pets for a period of time and then " abandon " them when they are bored of it or cannot afford to take care of them.. That's when they become stray dogs in the streets.. So, people must think twice before keeping a pet, especially big sized dogs...




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