COMMUNITY and animal wellbeing remain the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) primary concern.
The city council mayor Datuk Rajendran Anthony said the MBPP is taking all necessary steps to address the issue of animal poisoning and to clean up the affected areas.
He was responding to the recent death of strays and pet dogs in Tanjung Bungah. The troubling incidents have raised concerns among residents and local authorities.
“We are committed to tackling the issue diligently and will focus on cleaning the area upon receiving reports.
“The cleaning efforts are to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. However, the use of jet spraying will be limited,” Rajendran said today.
He also spoke about the council’s Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programme.
“The TNR programme has been instrumental in managing the stray dog population, and we will continue to support these efforts to ensure a humane and effective approach.
“The programme has already made significant strides, having managed 460 dogs to date. The total number of strays on the island is currently estimated to be less than 1,000.
“Some of these strays have come from the hill area. We are hopeful that increased public cooperation and awareness will aid in managing the stray population.
“We strive to ensure each dog caught is treated and returned to its original location unless a suitable home is found. This approach is considered the most humane method for managing the stray dog population.
“Our goal is to balance the needs of the community with the humane treatment of animals. We appreciate the public’s support and awareness in helping us achieve this,” he added.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En