Motion to repeal Malacca dog ban to be tabled next week
MALACCA: A motion to repeal a ruling prohibiting dogs from being kept in intermediate terrace houses in Malacca will be tabled at the state exco meeting next week.
State Public Affairs, Human Resources and NGO Affairs committee chairman Datuk M.S. Mahadevan said he would also propose for complaints on noisy dogs and irresponsible pet owners to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“I will table my motion together with the recommendations from animal welfare groups to have the ruling repealed,” he told The Star on Monday.
Mahadevan said many people had questioned the ban, alleging that the state is prejudiced against canines. He said this is why he would suggest for local authorities to focus on people neglecting their pets.
“The ruling was proposed in 2012 following a slew of complaints against irresponsible pet owners,” said Mahadevan.
The ban came into effect in 2013.
He said, however, that only a handful of dog licences were rejected since the ruling took effect and 3,013 licences were approved this year alone.
“I am confident that the Chief Minister would consider nullifying the ruling if tabled with the supporting facts from animal welfare groups.
“Furthermore, the ruling was proposed before Datuk Seri Idris Haron became Chief Minister,” he said.
Mahadevan said some people have continued to play up the issue on social media although Idris had agreed to a win-win solution to the problem.
In a message to The Star on Saturday, Idris, who is in Saudi Arabia, said the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other animal welfare groups would be asked for feedback and suggestions on how to overcome the complaints against dogs in certain neighbourhoods in the state.
