Someone In Penang Is Going Around Poisoning Dogs & Has Killed Over 25 Strays
According to a resident, the poisoned dogs are often found in the neighbourhood drains, where they end up searching for water to "alleviate their suffering" before they succumb to the poison.
By Sadho Ram — 03 Apr 2023, 03:32 PM
The mass poisoning of stray dogs is the sad reality that exposes the public's intolerance towards stray animals on Malaysian streets.
The latest such case involves Penang's Lorong Delima neighbourhood, where more than 25 dogs have been poisoned in the last four weeks.
A resident told SAYS over emails that the mass poisoning of strays in Island Glades first came to light on 5 March and has continued since, with the latest victims being found yesterday, 2 April.
According to the resident, the poisoned dogs are often found in the neighbourhood drains, where they end up searching for water to "alleviate their suffering" before they succumb to the poison.
"Someone is making their rounds killing these poor dogs," the resident told SAYS while describing how the neighbourhood animal shelter is now almost deserted because of the poisoning of so many strays.
While the community has brought up the matter with law enforcement, nothing actionable has been done with no increase in patrolling
The residents lodged two police reports in early March, while also escalating the matter to several other parties, including a local member of parliament (MP) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
The authorities claimed that they can't do anything unless the perpetrators are caught "red-handed", the resident told this SAYS writer while giving a breakdown of the dates on which the strays were found.
Of the 28 dogs, five are still missing, which — according to the resident — is typically just a matter of time before their bodies are found by volunteers and community members.
Yesterday itself, three more dogs were found poisoned in the surrounding areas of Island Glades.
Volunteers have urged dog owners to be extra cautious, especially of food left on the streets or near their house compounds
According to one of the volunteers, while some lucky strays are either picked up by animal shelters or taken in by kind rescuers and adopters, most of them are not so lucky and they must live on the streets.
"Life on the streets is extremely hard," David Yim Boon Leong, the volunteer, said.
David added that he always hears of stray dogs and cats being poisoned as animal haters see them as an annoyance under the excuse of public health and safety, so they get rid of them using barbaric methods.
Strays, he said, have fallen victim to the cruelty of people regularly, be it in rural or urban areas.
The recent poisoning targets community dogs that had undergone spaying or neutering.
"The more concerning issue now is what exactly could possess someone to behave in such a manner and hurt these innocent street dogs? I do not understand," David expressed dejectedly.
"The truth is, this evil act does not only hurt animals but society as a whole."
