As a child, my family would sometimes go out for dinner at a Chinese eatery near our house. The food was alright, but one thing that has stuck with me even after all this time was how a group of stray dogs would hang around near my table, just waiting for me to drop them scraps of fish or chicken. My parents weren’t very happy about it. They reprimanded me whenever they saw me feeding the dogs, saying things like “Don’t touch that!” and “Finish the food on your plate, don’t give them to the dogs!” As I grew up, I realised that most Malaysians are reluctant to feed stray animals at eateries. The restaurant owners themselves often dislike having strays around because it makes their eateries look dirty, especially when well-meaning customers throw food on the ground for the animals to eat. Although I agree that stray dogs can cause a myriad of hygiene and safety concerns, I also believe that if they are left to fend for themselves, their suffering will never cease, and the problem at hand will never fade away. Moreover, despite the fact that many animal welfare organisations have introduced a variety of measures to help curb this problem, their efforts are still not enough to effectively address this matter at hand. Hence, to mitigate these problems, I think the government should take charge of this issue by implementing neutering programs, establishing animal welfare centres, strengthening animal welfare laws, and introducing community-based animal welfare programs.
Firstly, one of the more humane ways to control the population of stray dogs in Malaysia is by implementing neutering programs. As extending the bloodline is a primal instinct, it would be impossible to command the dogs to stop engaging in promiscuous acts, especially since they do not possess sophisticated cognitive functions that enable them to control their primal urges. Therefore, the government should disrupt this vicious cycle by introducing neutering programs into the picture. Even though there are a lot of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Noah's Ark and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Towards Animals (SPCA) that have started the "Trap, Neuter, and Release" (TNR) programs, their efforts are merely the tip of the iceberg as they are limited by their finances and manpower. If the government could assist them by providing governmentally-initiated neutering schemes, it would consequentially cease the excessive reproduction of stray dogs.
Secondly, the government could establish more animal welfare centres. Most if not all of the animal welfare centres in Malaysia are run by NGOs, and as aforementioned, their financial and labour limitations mean that they are unable to provide more space for unwanted stray dogs. Unfortunately, according to Malaysian law, stray dogs without a home or a centre to go to would then be euthanised. It is in personal opinion that euthanasia can only act as a temporary and inhumane solution to pacify the public. In the long run, there will still be an excessive number of stray dogs and a limited amount of animal shelters. With that in mind, the government should allocate more funds into building more spaces for stray dogs to live in. Furthermore, the government can also join forces with NGOs by sharing resources and manpower.
Another way to mitigate the problem of stray dogs in our country is to strengthen animal welfare laws. Unlike Singapore, Malaysia is infamous for being excessively lenient on rules and regulations. Giving undeserving people a second chance without any appropriate reeducation programmes in place is, in personal opinion, adding fuel to the fire. Additionally, many Malaysian law enforcement officers present a laid-back attitude, even when it comes to serious matters that could jeopardise the wellbeing of the public. This in turn enables perpetrators to repetitively commit crimes. When it comes to animal welfare laws, our country is more lenient than ever. Even if the government has already introduced a law stating that dog owners should obtain licenses in order to have dogs, the lenient legal atmosphere means that no one takes these regulations seriously. Without heavy consequences to coerce these owners, they will still commit the selfish act of abandoning dogs in public areas and refuse to take accountability for their dogs. Thus, it is imperative that the Malaysian government should impose and enforce strict laws with dire implications in an effort to keep the public's selfish ways in check.
Last but not least, more community-based animal welfare programmes should be introduced into the Malaysian society. Humans will not fully understand another's suffering unless they are forced into coercion. Therefore, the government should reach into the hearts of the community by including more citizens into its campaigns or animal welfare. Community programmes could include educational workshops, pet adoption drives, and neighborhood watch initiatives to monitor and report stray dogs. Engaging the public in such activities can lead to a more informed and proactive community, capable of addressing animal welfare issues at the grassroots level. By fostering a sense of collective responsibility, these programs can help ensure that the community as a whole plays a part in caring for stray animals and preventing the problem from escalating.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." This was directly quoted from world-renowned human rights' activist, Mahatma Gandhi, and it is true to a great extent. Countries which educate their citizens on the importance of caring for their inferiors are more developed than those which do not. This notion underscores a fundamental truth about the interconnectedness of compassion, societal values, and overall development. When a nation prioritises the humane treatment of animals, it reflects a broader commitment to empathy and ethical behavior. Such a society is likely to extend these values to other areas, fostering a culture of respect and responsibility.
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Vocabulary
- reluctant: 不情愿的
- a myriad of: 无数的
- fend: 抵御
- curb: 抑制
- neutering: 绝育
- primal instinct: 原始本能
- sophisticated cognitive function: 复杂的认知功能
- urges: 冲动
- the tip of the iceberg: 冰山一角
- excessive: 过度的
- euthanasia: 安乐死
- inhumane: 不人道的
- pacify: 安抚
- allocate: 分配
- mitigate: 减轻
- lenient: 宽容的
- adding fuel to the fire: 火上加油
- jeopardise: 危及
- perpetrators: 作恶者
- imperative: 重要的
- coerce: 强迫
- fundamental: 基本的
- commitment: 承诺
- extend: 扩展