Kerajaan digesa ambil tindakan lebih meluas banteras isu anjing liar

Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin has urged the Malaysian government to take more comprehensive action to combat the issue of stray dogs in the country, suggesting that efforts should begin in the nation's capital as a model for pet-friendly urban areas. He cited a recent incident where a two-year-old girl was attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Batu Pahat, Johor, on Saturday.

After the local government announced the launch of a stray dog capture operation in the area, Radzi said Malaysia cannot continue to handle stray dog issues through ad-hoc capture operations without a comprehensive plan. The government should implement a standalone action plan involving all relevant government agencies to ensure the country remains stray dog-free within a few years.

This would involve amending relevant laws and regulations and ensuring compliance through a dedicated monitoring mechanism, he added on Facebook. Such actions should begin in Putrajaya due to the lower stray dog population in the administrative capital compared to other urban areas. Two-year-old Nur Haira Watikah Hazimi was reportedly attacked by around five stray dogs outside her home in Sungai Kelambu on Saturday morning.

She sustained severe injuries to her head and face and was rushed to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital before being transferred to Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru due to her critical condition. Former Johor Exco member Fared Khalid claimed that during his 20 years in Australia, he never saw a stray dog despite the high dog ownership rate in the country.

In such cases, where a stray dog attacks someone, the owner would face severe consequences, including criminal charges and heavy fines. Radzi suggested comprehensive law reform with strict application requirements and high public awareness to make Australian cities stray dog-free. Considering the high risk of litigation or accusation and prosecution, dog owners in Australia would ensure compliance with established laws, he said.