As reported in TheStar: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/10/06/DVS-to-work-with-NGO-animal-welfare/
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said a special committee had already been formed comprising both DVS and NGO representatives.
“This marks a new beginning of a close cooperation and eventually it will become a new platform to work together on animal issues,” Ahmad Shabery told a press conference after chairing a meeting between NGOs and the DVS.
The meeting primarily discussed the rabies outbreak in the northern states with the NGOs asking for the culling of street dogs to stop as there had not been any new cases of infected dogs since Sept 21.
On whether the Government would consider carrying out mass vaccination of street dogs as requested by the NGOs, Ahmad Shabery said many things would have to first be taken into consideration.
On whether the DVS will call for the culling order in Penang to stop, Ahmad Shabery said no decision will be made as of now but hoped that the culling can be stopped soon.
From SKSV’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1020524674644525&id=1011757392187920
At the meeting, SKSV also pointed out data from DVS rabies epimediology reports that outlining the total number of culled dogs and number of rabies infections in Malaysia’s 3 northern states. Both Perlis and Kedah have higher numbers of rabies infections – Kedah with 18 cases and Perlis with 20 cases – as compared to only 4 cases in Penang. Even though Penang has the lowest rate of rabies cases, curiously, the report shows that it has the culled the highest number of stray dogs and cats. As of October 5, Penang has killed 1,711 animals, compared to 1693 in Kedah, and 299 in Perlis.
Since September 21, there have been no new cases of rabies infection in Penang, and yet Penang’s culling effort has dramatically increased. Up until September 21, 283 stray animals had been killed. Since then, an additional 1,428 strays have been killed.
According to Ms. Lim, “When we asked when they will stop the culling order since no new cases have been found, no answer was provided”. It is important to note that in Perlis, culling mostly stopped after September 23, as only 2 more strays were culled between September 23 and October 5. SKSV has requested that the DVS will provide clarification as to when they plan to halt the killing and on what criteria the decision is based. Since the DVS stated in their meeting that the situation is already under control, it logically follows that the culling should promptly end in Penang as it already had in Perlis and Kedah.
SKSV would also like to point out inaccuracies made by the government during the meeting. Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) is not a company, it is an international charity founded in 2002. It was also incorrectly stated that WVS vaccines will cost Malaysia RM65 each. To be clear: WVS is offering rabies vaccines free to Malaysia, and their market rate for each vaccine is approximately RM 65. WVS has pledged 40,000 doses of vaccines (worth approximately 2.6 million ringgit) to the Penang government as free aid. As part of the free aid, they will also provide a team of 150 people to assist in mass vaccination.
Based on the ongoing reports, the rabies “outbreak” is already under control and there are no new cases now. Kedah and Perlis have stopped culling; Perlis is even doing house-to-house vaccinations, but Penang is still practising mass killing, many of which are innocent community dogs.
What will it take for Penang to stop?