MCA Youth has called for a more nuanced and responsible approach to dog ownership, especially for breeds such as Rottweilers following the Kedah state government’s decision to euthanise two Rottweilers involved in a recent dog attack that injured five people.
MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung noted that while it is understandable that the state government wants to take measures to prevent similar occurrences, the focus should not only be on banning specific breeds but also holding dog owners accountable.
“The dogs, victims of poor ownership and improper management, should not bear the full blame. Euthanising them may seem like a solution now, but it must not be the blanket solution,” she stressed.
“To protect our communities, attention must be directed at the owner. Investigations should thoroughly assess whether the owner is a repeat offender or has plans to acquire more dogs from the ‘aggressive breed’ category.
“Furthermore, authorities must look into whether the owner should be fined a significant amount, and not a trivial sum. The state government must consider whether the owner faces legal consequences for their negligence, as it places public safety at risk.”
According to Saw, Rottweilers, like many other dog breeds, require responsible ownership and proper training to ensure their safety and the safety of the public.
“At the end of the day, these pets are animals and owning them requires a degree of responsibility and an understanding of both personal and public safety,” she remarked.
“They are not inherently dangerous; they are animals. So, the responsibility falls on owners to provide the necessary training and an appropriate environment for these dogs.
“In this case, Rottweilers are not suited to owners who lack the space, experience, or knowledge to train them.”
Saw said rather than banning aggressive dog breeds, they can be trained for greater societal benefits. For example, breeds like Rottweilers, which are skilled in border patrol, can be trained to detect smuggling at Malaysia’s borders.
She also pointed out that trained dogs have also proven valuable in search and rescue operations while the 2025 Budget has allocated RM75 mil for enforcement activities and K9 training, therefore indicating the government’s recognition of the vital role of dogs in public safety.
“Ultimately, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of their pets. If they fail in this regard, appropriate legal measures should be taken against them, rather than punishing the animals who are just following their natural instincts,” Saw added.
On April 1, Bernama reported that five individuals were injured after being bitten by two dogs in an incident at Taman Desa Bidara and are receiving treatment at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, Sungai Petani.
Earlier, a viral social media post showed several individuals being treated and transported in an ambulance after sustaining injuries from an attack by two black-coloured dogs.
It was understood that the dogs had escaped from their enclosure before attacking the victims. – April 4, 2025
Main image: Envato
