Untrained animal catchers a cause for concern

Often,we come across articles and photographs about animal abuse. Most of the times, we will see stray cats and dogs, be it at void decks, or roadside. To control the number of stray dogs and minimize the chances of the spread of diseases such as rabies, about 1800 dogs are put down to sleep annually.

In Singapore, there are animal catchers who make use of unconventional tools such as fishing lines and hooks which will indirectly led to the death of a stray dog. According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) , these animal catchers have no structured training programmes.

Mr Francis Lee, a dog catcher was fined by the AVA for his role in the death of the dog, which died from strangulation after being caught in a noose trap, after it fell into a drain next to the trap.

As animal catchers, they are supposed to work with police, parks and recreation departments, and health departments by confining animals or investigating animal bites to humans, and also to rescue animals so that they may be returned to their owners or transported to veterinary clinic or animal shelter. They should have love towards animals. They should be treated more humanely. We may not be able to understand what these animals are thinking, but if we put ourselves in its' shoes, we would never want to be treated the same way. Animals have feelings too. Can you imagine how its parents would feel? Would you ever let anyone bully your own child? I think that the penalty Mr Francis Lee should receive was not harsh enough. He should be sentenced to jail for a few years. If someone was murdered, the murderer was sentenced to death, then why is it that when animals get killed, the murderer was set free?

Done by: Chua Qing Ling (Christina)

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110416-0000344/Untrained-animal-catchers-a-cause-for-concern