KUALA LUMPUR: The serene residential area of Elmina Garden in U16, Shah Alam has been jolted by the discovery of 11 dead stray dogs over the past week in and around the neighbourhood’s picturesque central garden.
According to World of Buzz, seven plastic bowls which had been filled with animal food, thought to have been laced with poison, were found in the vicinity of the dogs’ remains.
The canine carcasses appeared uninjured – and further inspection found the remains of other animals, including birds, which are suspected to have partaken in the food which had been laid out around the park.
First to raise the alarm was dog-lover association Dogs of Denai Alam, or Doda, which initially reported finding dead canines in the area on July 24.
Its founder, Kevin Raj, said they have handed over the bowls to the police and are assisting authorities in the investigation.
He also revealed that two puppies, who had ingested the food and were foaming at the mouth, survived after they were rushed to a veterinarian, a local English daily reported.
Meanwhile, residents are also outraged by the fact that the bowls of poisoned food were left out in the open, and had potentially endangered house pets and children in the area.
But that’s not the end of the horror.
Doda has discovered at least four dogs in Denai Alam, U16 whose limbs had been deliberately lopped off.
Kevin said they are treating one dog whose right foreleg was only recently maimed, and was in a bad state.
He said all the maimed dogs are limping pitifully and show an acute fear towards humans.
According to World of Buzz, Doda said that several new townships in Shah Alam are facing a moderate stray dog problem – but stressed that killing and maiming the animals, vigilante-style, is not only immoral but illegal.
Kevin added that Doda is working with the Denai Alam Residents’ Association, the Shah Alam City Council, the SPCA and PAWs to capture the dogs humanely and re-home them, if possible.