THE Negri Sembilan legislative assembly has recently come together to agree to cull stray dogs in predominantly Malay residential areas in the state. After all, the nuisance and safety concerns posed by these wandering creatures have become a daily talking point among the residents.
In a gathering that had the air of a family meeting, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun expressed the shared woes of the community, lamenting how the stray dogs had disrupted the peaceful rhythm of life.
Religious views
Now, let us take a moment to reflect on how various beliefs regard our furry friends and what their absence could mean:
Christianity
Christian texts offer mixed opinions on dogs. While some verses describe them as scavengers, others display a gentle kindness towards all living beings.
Take St Roch, for instance—abandoned and unwell, he found solace in the company of a dog, symbolising loyalty and divine care.
One might say that dogs serve as humble reminders of God’s love and compassion. Without them, we risk losing sight of our duty to care for the less fortunate among us.
Islam
In Islam, dogs are often seen as ritually impure, but certainly not malevolent. The Qur’an beautifully recounts the tale of the People of the Cave, where a dog remained ever vigilant at their entrance, a symbol of unwavering loyalty.
Islamic tradition advocates kindness to all creatures, and to harm them unjustly is to stray from the path of righteousness. The loss of dogs, then, may indicate a troubling shift away from our divine mandate to show compassion.
Hinduism
In Hindu belief, dogs are closely associated with Bhairava, a fearsome avatar of Lord Shiva. They serve as loyal companions, as shown in the Mahabharata, where the noble king Yudhishthira refuses to enter heaven without his devoted dog.
Dogs are embodiments of loyalty and duty. Their absence might signify a decline in our moral fabric, a notion that leaves one pondering.
Buddhism
Buddhism teaches that all sentient beings, including dogs, can achieve enlightenment. Compassion towards all, especially dogs, is fundamental to Buddhist ethics.
Dogs mirror our capacity for love and connection; their disappearance would suggest a troubling karmic imbalance and a drifting away from the path of empathy.
Bahá’í Faith
While dogs are not deemed spiritually “clean” for rituals, Bahá’í teachings emphasise kindness and justice towards animals.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá advocated for compassion and warned against causing suffering. The absence of dogs might reflect humanity’s growing detachment from the spiritual qualities that should guide our lives.
Indigenous and animist traditions
Many Indigenous cultures cherish dogs as spirit guides and loyal protectors, considering them as part of the family. They help navigate the spiritual realms, maintaining harmony between humans, animals, and the Earth. A loss of dogs could indicate a disruption in this cosmic bond.
Suggestion of alternative approaches
Now, as we turn to the practical matter of managing our stray dog population in Malaysia, it’s clear we need a thoughtful approach that respects cultural and environmental nuances. Here’s a handy little plan to consider:
First, let’s enhance sterilisation and vaccination efforts—those ABC programmes—by fostering partnerships with local NGOs like PAWS Malaysia and SPCA Selangor for mass sterilisation initiatives.
In the Klang Valley, we can already see success with Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage programmes and mobile vet clinics.
In the more remote areas, let’s establish low-cost mobile clinics that venture into rural regions, ensuring all dogs receive mandatory rabies vaccinations. Across the nation, places like Perlis, Kedah, and Sarawak have begun to embrace these methods.
It’s also important to set up designated feeding zones for strays and reinforce waste management at these spots, steering clear of mosques and schools.
Educating the public on feeding-neutering-vaccination strategies will help us control the stray population without causing distress.
Moreover, let’s launch national adoption campaigns, rallying influencers and communities to embrace the mantra #AdoptDontShop, with incentives like tax breaks for pet adopters, just as Turkey has done.
But let’s not forget: the old kill shelters should close their doors for good! Instead, we could transform government pounds into nurturing rehabilitation centres equipped with trained staff who understand animal behaviour—now wouldn’t that be a sight for sore eyes?
Legal measures need a sound overhaul too. It’s high time for stricter pet ownership laws, along with mandatory microchipping to ensure owners commit to caring for their adopted dogs.
Those who abandon their pets could face heavier fines under the Animal Welfare Act of 2015. And let’s banish inhumane culling from our practices for good.
Awareness is crucial. The Education Ministry can weave animal welfare into school programs and utilise modern platforms like TikTok for timely public service announcements—imagine catchy “Jangan Tangkap Anjing Liar” posters lighting up the streets and WhatsApp messages!
Lastly, gathering data on stray dogs through a national database will help us understand their movements better, perhaps even mapping their territory like a treasure hunt for compassion.
Collaborating with religious bodies to find humane relocation methods could align us with cultural sensitivities, ensuring we address the concerns of the community while showing compassion.
In a nutshell, let’s adopt strategies from successful initiatives worldwide rather than resorting to the easy, albeit cruel, way out. There’s a kinder path forward for all of God’s creatures, and it’s up to us to choose it. – May 1, 2025
KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Pexels/Edgar Daniel Hernández Cervantes
