THE people should refrain from feeding stray dogs in parks as this will lead to the animals’ dependency on them for survival. 

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Penang chairman Dr Choong Sim Poey said he had received many complaints about the animals which had become feral and roamed in packs of 20 to 30. 

“Animal lovers may have good intention when they feed the dogs regularly at the parks. But what happens when they go on holiday or fail to bring food on certain days?  

“Due to the regular supply of food, the dogs will increase in number and endanger people who visit the parks including Penang Botanic Gardens, Pearl Hill and Penang Municipal Park,” he told newsmen after chairing the society’s annual general meeting on Sunday.  

He said residents, walkers and joggers in those areas had resorted to carrying sticks for protection against the dogs. 

On another matter, he said 300 stray dogs and cats had been neutered under the society’s Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) programme this year. 

“Based on the programme which started last year, the animals were rounded up, neutered and then released into their original environment.  

“Besides controlling the population of strays in the area, it also saves us from having to house them in our perpetually overcrowded kennels,” he added. 

Dr Choong urged the Penang Municipal Council to subsidize the neutering expenses and set up a pound to help reduce the population of strays.