Dog owners want new MBSA rules scrapped
RIZALMAN HAMMIM 
Malay Mail, 28 Nov 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 The Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo) wants the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to revoke its latest dog licensing rule which it charges as unfair.

Mapro has written to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo to seek a dialogue with the council.

"We have also sent a memorandum to MBSA through MBSA councillor Tan Kim Un," Marpo protem president Dr Jon Satyamoorthy told The Malay Mail yesterday.

He said Marpo and dog owners in Shah Alam are concerned and unhappy with MBSA’s latest regulations.

"We  believe  it is  the right of all Shah

Alam residents to own pets of their choice, including dogs. MBSA’s latest regulations goes against this basic right," Satyamoorthy said.

He said Marpo also regretted that MBSA did not seek prior consultations with the association or Shah Alam residents to fully understand the issue before coming up with such drastic rulings.

"Some of the terms are unfair and we are strongly against them," Satyamoorthy said, adding that the association is urging MBSA to revoke the new regulations.

Among the regulations are the move to deny licences to present and future dog owners who are unable to obtain written approvals from their immediate neighbours on all sides and not granting licences to people who live in intermediate link houses.

"All residents should have the right to keep dogs as pets irrespective of the type of house they live in and without having to seek permission from their neighbours," Satyamoorthy said.

Marpo also disagrees with MBSA’s new requirement for dog owners to build shelters that conform to specifications set by the council.

"This is not fair because there are various breeds of dogs that come in different shapes and sizes. Shelters should be based on the size of the individual breed of dogs," Satyamoorthy said.