"Councillor must explain move to trap and dump dogs"

By Wani Muthiah
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/11/nation/3876155&sec=nation

KLANG: The municipal councillor in charge of Pulau Ketam should explain why he had endorsed the move to trap dogs from the island and dump them on the nearby uninhabited Pulau Tengah and Pulau Selat.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said the Klang Municipal (MPK) councillor should also reveal who had instructed him to do so.

Pulau Ketam residents had trapped and dumped the dogs on the island in early March with allocations provided by MPK councillor in charge of Pulau Ketam Tee Beng Lee.

To date animal sanctuary the Furry Friends Farm (FFF) has rescued six dogs whilst the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has rescued two.

Lee who accompanied the FFF team on their rescue mission last Saturday said it was time for MPK to be involved in the operations.

“MPK has to liaise with the rescue teams and use their resources to rescue the dogs. This is the only way for the counsel to appease domestic and international outcry,” said Lee.

Meanwhile, besides issues, heckles are also expected at a meeting between MPK and animal welfare groups and activists today.

The meeting, initiated by Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, is being held to find ways to rescue the dogs from the uninhabited islands, that come under the Kapar parliamentary constituency.

Blogger TV Smith, who initiated and heads the FFF rescue team, said it was not possible to rope in Pulau Ketam residents to help in the rescue work due to their apathy.

“Most of them still don’t think they have done anything wrong,” he added.

He said the residents were also charging them more than the usual rate for boats to go to Pulau Tengah and Pulau Selat Kering.