The two mongrels that attacked an Irishman have been placed at the Balik Pulau veterinary department for observation

Eye on two killer dogs
By TAN SIN CHOW, ANN TAN and TIFFANY LEONG WENYI
north@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: The two mongrels that attacked an Irishman have been placed at the Balik Pulau veterinary department for observation. The dogs will not be put to sleep yet.

State Veterinary Department director Dr Wan Mohd Kamil Wan Nik said they would monitor the canines for 10 days to check if they had any dangerous diseases such as rabies.

A team comprising 10 veterinary personnel and two policemen picked up the two-year-old dogs, a male and a female named Lee and Ning respectively, from the organic farm in Teluk Bahang at about 2pm yesterday.

“We will not put the dogs to sleep at the moment. We have no authority to do so as this is now a police case,” said Dr Wan Mohd Kamil.

Under observation: Farm owner Joseph Teoh carrying Ning into the car before sending her to the Balik Pulau Veterinary Department Monday.

On Sunday, Irish tourist Maurice Sullivan, 50, died after he was mauled by the dogs at about 10am.

Dr Wan Mohd Kamil said that once the observation period was over, he would write to the police on the next course of action.

He said nothing would be done to the two other dogs at the farm.

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zain said the 41-year-old farm owner is being investigated under Section 289 of the Penal Code for negligence with respect to animals.

He said they had recorded statements from relevant parties, adding that the investigation was expected to be completed by this week.

Separately, dog lovers want owners to be more responsible about pet care.

“Owners should be well-informed and educated before they are given the licence to keep pets,” said Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association president Anthony Thanasayan.

He is also a councillor of the Petaling Jaya City Council and Canine Advisory Team (CAT) chairman.

Thanasayan said dogs usually acted according to the owner’s instructions, or from how their masters treated them.

The Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better canine welfare organisation urged the Department of Veterinary Services to investigate the living conditions and the kind of treatment previously received by the two dogs.

“The department should also find out if the dogs had a mix of the pit bull breed, which is banned in Malaysia for its ferocious streak,” said coordinator Christine Lai.