Dog and Puppy News & Blog

By-law puts tight leash on dog owners

A UNIFORM by-law, expected to be enforced nationwide later in the year, makes it mandatory for all dog owners to register their canines at the veterinary services department.

Each of the registered animals will be given a health certificate and an identification microchip.

Dr Satyamoorthy … ‘owners must also carry a scoop or bag when they take their dogs out’
Their owners, however, must get a licence from the local council to keep the pet. And, those wanting to keep more than two dogs must obtain approval from the veterinary services department before the council issues the additional licence.

Any restricted dog should also require the department’s approval first.

Disabled people and government agencies will be exempted from paying licensing fee.

These details were outlined at a recent meeting attended by Housing and Local Government Ministry parliamentary secretary Dr S.S. Subramaniam, the department’s veterinary director Dr Fadzilah Aini Abdul Kadir and City Hall legal affairs head Teoh The Bee.

Malaysian for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo) pro-tem president Dr Jon Satyamoorthy said the new law would come into effect by May or June after the Attorney-General’s Chambers had given its approval.

He said the annual licensing fee for a single dog would be RM10 and, for each subsequent dog, RM30.

Dr Satyamoorthy said the new by-law would require dog owners to leash their pets when the animals were taken outdoors.

“They must also carry a scoop or bag to collect their pets’ excretion,’’ he said.

Unattended dogs above three months old and wearing a metal badge or microchip in public places would be caught and kept by the local council.

If not claimed by the owner within seven days, the council may put the dog up for adoption or put it to sleep.

A compound of RM50 and maintenance fee of RM20 for each dog may be charged upon its release to the owner.

“The draft is a good thing for all dog lovers and owners in Malaysia,” said Dr Satyamoorthy, adding that senior citizens also should be exempted from paying the licensing fee.

Full Story at The Star, Malaysia

Bow-wow to amended rules
By Sharmini Angela
The Sun, 13 Mar 2006

SHAH ALAM: After two inconclusive meetings, dog owners and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) met again last Thursday and agreed on conditions for dog licenses.

In a dialogue with mayor Datuk Ramli Mahmud at Wisma MBSA, residents and Malaysian Association for Responsible PetOwnership (Marpo) amicably agreed on several amendments to dog-ownership licenses in the 1982 by-laws (Shah Alam municipality).

From April 1, until the implementation of the Local Government and Housing Ministry’s uniform policy on Dog Ownership Licenses to be applicable nationwide, the Datuk Bandar agreed on some amendments (see graphics).

The licensing fee has been reduced from RM60 per dog (RM10 for license, RM20 for badge and RM30 processing fee) to RM20 per dog, not inclusive of RM2 for application form.

With the introduction of the microchip (containing particulars on the dog and owner) embedded in the dogs, licensing will still remain at RM20 annually.

“Marpo will work with the MBSA throughout the month to conduct courses and talks to educate the public about pet ownership, including the caring for and maintaining a dog.

“This will hopefully ensure no issues crop up with regard to irresponsible pet-owners and other such matters,” Ramli said.

He added: “Following complaints on irresponsible pet owners, an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken by the council. “If found guilty, the owner will be fined and the dog will be sent to PAWS or a pound.”

Dog licenses can be obtained within two weeks, provided all the paper work is in order.

Breeds which are still banned by the MBSA are Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pitbull Terrier/American Pitbull and the Staffonshire Bull Terrier.

Rottweiller owners will have to get the approval of the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) which has approved for certain breeds to be kept.

Marpo pro tem president Dr Jon S. Satyamoorthy said all parties were happy with the meeting.

“At least, after two fruitless meetings with deputy mayor Za’ba Che Rus, there is a positive conclusion and everyone is agreeable to the amendments.

“I do hope, however, that the regulation, which will be implemented by the ministry, will continue to benefit the pet-owners of Shah Alam,” he added.

MBSA’s rules for keeping dogs
The Sun, 13 Mar 2006

• Terrace houses can keep only one dog but owners in terrace houses with two dogs now may care for them until they die.
• Corner terrace houses with land are allowed to keep two dogs
• Bungalows and semi-detached homes are allowed to have two dogs without neighbor’s feedback
• New dog owners in terrace houses need to get feedback from immediate neighbors before getting a dog license 
• Kennels are not compulsory
• Owners need not produce veterinary certificate when applying for license, but must submit a photograph of their dog
• Licensing fee reduced from RM60 to RM30 per dog (not inclusive of RM2 for application form)
• Dog licenses obtained from another local authority (and residents move to Shah Alam) remain valid until due for renewal 
• Senior citizens and pensioners above 56 get 50% discount for dog licenses
• Disabled people are exempted from paying for license if they produce disabled card.

Hence it is a good new to dog owner in Shah Alam area where terrace houses are now allowed to keep one dog.

Puppy.com.my will be having another Dog Micro-Chipping Drive at Taman Desa Community Park on March 19, 2006. Dog vaccinations ( or annual booster ) services will also be available on the same day at RM 35.00 per vaccination. Details, venue and time are as below:-

Dog Micro-chipping and Vaccination Schedule
Date and Time : March 19, 2006 9:30am ~ 11:30am
Venue : Taman Desa Community Park
Services Available : Dog Micro-chipping and Vaccinations

Dog Microchip – RM 18.00 per chip
Implantation of Microchip – RM 10.00 per chip by an experienced Vet
6 in 1 Vaccination / Annual Booster – RM 35.00 per jab.

Dogs not just toys for luck
By MEERA VIJAYAN
The Star, 24 Jan 2006

JOHOR BARU: The sudden demand for canines this coming Year of the Dog has got animal lovers worried.

Chartered accountant and animal lover C. Kunathasan, 54, said dogs are not “toys” that one buys for good feng shui.

“People who don’t genuinely love dogs but just want the luck that dogs may bring should consider buying statues of dogs instead.

“If the dog is neglected after the Chinese New Year, then it becomes animal abuse,” he said.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor branch chairman Christine Chin said she had mixed feelings about the rise in the number of dogs bought or adopted recently.

“We are happy that there is so much attention on dogs this year, but we are also concerned that people may be buying dogs for the wrong reasons,” she said.

“For instance, when the movie 101 Dalmatians came out several years ago, it created a huge demand for Dalmatians.

“Two years later, we saw so many of those Dalmatians surrendered to the SPCA.” She urged pet shop operators to caution prospective buyers about the responsibilities that come with keeping a dog.

Chin said the SPCA receives almost a thousand animals a month, with 80% of the animals brought in by their owners who did not want them any more.

On people who want a dog just for luck, she warned: “Going along the same lines, if you buy a dog for luck and discard the dog later, you will be throwing away your luck, too.”

Full Story