BY: ZULAIKA NAEL

In this country, whether in urban or rural areas, there are stray animals going around looking for food and sustenance and, among them, which is a serious concern, is that some of these strays are very sick and can spread diseases.

But this does not mean they must be culled. There has to be a humane way and manner of going about helping these strays according to animal welfare activists and those who have been in this vocation.

In this aspect, it is local authorities who are often bearing the brunt of anger and resentment from animal lovers over the way they go about solving the issue of strays which are growing in their numbers.

This means the onus of responsibility in dealing with stray animals must be borne by the Madani government, there needs to be in place proper planning, management and control of the situation in order to appease those who love animals.

There also has to be an appropriate budget in place and fund allocation to state governments and local authorities on how to go about managing the situation of strays by roping in and consulting all stakeholders.

Instead of just crying foul, animal welfare activists and Malaysian animal lovers should provide their requests and feedback for evaluation in the hope of finding common ground by which the future of all animals in this country would be safe and secure.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher