SERDANG, Sept 20 — The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is conducting a study on the effectiveness of the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) method in controlling the population of stray dogs in Malaysia.
Its director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said the study is currently being conducted in Penang with the cooperation of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as local authorities and is expected to be completed within a year.
The study is being carried out to determine the implications of the TNRM method on the welfare of stray animals, identify the most effective mechanisms for their care post-sterilisation, and measure the community’s acceptance of TNRM.
“We hope that when we implement the TNRM method, people will adopt the animals as pets. (However), according to the Animal Welfare Act 2015, we do not encourage Trap-Neuter-Release, simply because we do not want the animals to roam freely.
“It is true that we can control the population, but what we need to identify is how to ensure the welfare of abandoned animals after they are released,” she told the press after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between DVS and external agencies at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition 2024 today.
Dr Akma added that the DVS is working alongside the Penang City Council, the Seberang Perai City Council, and NGOs including Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare of Animals, Persatuan Kebajikan Haiwan Terbiar Pulau Pinang, and Persatuan Kebajikan Haiwan Liar Butterworth Pulau Pinang, to conduct the study.
Meanwhile, the department has signed an MoU with Universiti Malaya to carry out research in organised livestock breeding utilising genetic material to improve the quality of livestock with commercial potential.
She said the DVS also signed an MoU with Universiti Putra Malaysia to enhance collaboration in training, research, and development within the fields of veterinary science and animal husbandry.
“We hope this collaboration will facilitate efforts to resolve the issues in the livestock sector, particularly in improving the self-sufficiency rate of beef and buffalo meat, thereby securing the country’s food supply,” Dr Akma said.
— Bernama
[caption id="attachment_373075" align="aligncenter" width="1104"]
Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid (second from left) during the signing of the memorandum of understanding between DVS and external agencies at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition 2024 in Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang, on September 20, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/JABATAN PERKHIDMATAN VETERINAR[/caption]
