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MCA Youth today said there is a need for a more nuanced and responsible approach to dog ownership, particularly for breeds like Rottweilers, should be considered.
Its secretary-general Saw Yee Fung said this was especially important as the Kedah government plans to draft new guidelines that may ban the ownership of ‘aggressive’ dog breeds entirely.
“MCA Youth feel the focus should not solely be on banning specific breeds but rather on holding owners accountable for their lack of responsible care.
“The dogs, victims of poor ownership and improper management, should not bear the full blame,” she said.
Euthanising them may seem like a solution now, but it must not be the blanket solution.
To protect our communities, Saw said attention must be directed at the owner. Investigations should thoroughly assess whether the owner is a repeat offender or has plans to acquire more dogs from the ‘aggressive breed’ category.
Authorities must also look into whether the owner should be fined a significant amount, and not a trivial sum.
“The state government must consider whether the owner faces legal consequences for their negligence, as it places public safety at risk.
“Rottweilers, like many other dog breeds, require responsible ownership and proper training to ensure their safety and the safety of the public.
“At the end of the day, these pets are animals, and owning them requires a degree of responsibility and an understanding of both personal and public safety,” she added.
In the case of the recent incident in Kedah, she said Rottweilers are not suited to owners who lack the space, experience, or knowledge to train them.
“Rather than banning aggressive dogs, we can use them to our advantage.
“Breeds like Rottweilers, which are skilled in border patrol and detecting illegal activities, can be trained for greater societal benefits, such as detecting smuggling at Malaysia’s borders,” she added. – April 4, 2025