By YIP YOKE TENG
Photos by ROHAIZAT MD DARUS
T. PUSPA Rani has no regrets giving up her career as a chartered
accountant to run Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR), a
non-governmental organisation she set up more than a year ago.
To her, she is not just saving cats and dogs, but lives.
Puspa and the volunteers at the shelter save animals from abusive
owners and the public. To do so, they often risk their own safety.
MIAR’s biggest challenge is dealing with hostile humans. Most are not
cooperative, and her team often has to forcibly enter premises with the
help of the police.
In the course of her work, Puspa has been
chased by parang-wielding men, tailgated when she was pregnant, locked
behind boom gates and interrogated by security guards.
What
will my future be?: Puppies snuggle up in T. Puspa Rani's hands, the
mother of the puppies was saved in time. Malaysia Independent Animal
Rescue's worker Avinash Singh looks on.
What will their future be?: A
puppy snuggles up in Puspa Rani’s hands while Avinash Singh, a worker
at the shelter looks on. The mother of these puppies was rescued in the
nick of time.
But she is determined to continue, knowing that
animals have no way of sending out distress calls or making themselves
heard when hurt.
“Each rescue has a poignant story behind it,” said the 37-year-old mother of three.
“Jacky was hit incessantly by his owner with a hoe; Slash’s back was
badly slashed, hence his name; Princess was dumped after excessive
breeding, she was in such horrible shape that no one could tell she was a
Siberian husky!” she said.
Many may feel sorry on seeing such
sights but it takes real courage to rescue these animals and shoulder
the responsibility of taking care of them.
Puspa uses the car
her husband gave her as a Christmas present to rescue the animals. The
car seats were stained by the blood of an injured dog on its second day
of use.
She initially rented a corner link house to place the
rescued dogs and cats. When the shelter was registered, a larger
property in Kajang was found for the animals.
A team of volunteers and three workers maintain the shelter, which now has close to 100 dogs.
Even enforcement officers have been impressed with the shelter’s set-up and cleanliness while conducting spot checks.
In fact, the spacious playpen for the dogs to roam free can cheer up just about anyone.
Puspa faces much stress as she receives calls almost every day, or strays are dumped at her doorstep.
Her efforts have taken her to places as far as Sungai Petani, Kedah.
She also has to foot the veterinary bills, which can amount to RM15,000 a month.
“The bills are a major burden, which is why I try to treat the wounds myself whenever I can.
“I have learned to handle maggot wounds and other light injuries, and
some friends say I have a magic touch. I guess tender, loving care can
do magic,” she said.
The cruelty she has to witness is depressing.
“Honestly, I cry a lot. But I know I have to be strong. The dogs are
not fierce, they are scared because of the horrible things people have
done to them. We have to gain their trust when we approach them, and
they don’t bite us.”
In fact, Puspa Rani gets more hostility
from humans — not just the abusers but also those who feel
inconvenienced by her rescue efforts, such as one who poisoned her dog.
Restoring the dogs to good health keeps Puspa Rani going. Miracles have happened, too.
One dog by the name of Angel was paralysed, and two vets had said she could not be healed.
But a patient Puspa gave Angel a massage every day and the dog managed to walk again 40 days later.
The animals at MIAR need people to adopt or foster them.
MIAR also urgently needs sturdy large cages, donations to cover its
monthly expenses and a van to rescue more animals in distress.
For information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Malaysia-Independent-Animal-Rescue/-132282193542235
3 bikers surrounds car but chased off by 3 dogs & a maid
11 July 2013 (Thu) 10pm
Section 14 & around Sri Aman School
Folks be reminded.. they're still there. Stay alert.
Protect our People.
shared by Nurul A Yezid
Witnessed an attempted robbery around 10pm just now. Was coming back
from grocery shopping with husband, then as we were turning to the
junction to go to 14/52 lane in pj, saw 3 bikes
going in the same direction ahead of us. Husband thought it was the
patrolling police, but my gut tells me something else. As we drove
towards 14/52, suddenly those same bikes were driving back towards us,
riders looked panicky and in a haste. Then in front of us a neighbor's
car was in stationary mode with some of the bikers still around the car,
in front of his/her house, blaring the honk like crazy, the gate was
open with the maid holding a stick and an occupant of the house was
there with their 3 dogs. When the drove towards us, I was so terriers
that they would turn their attention to us. But luckily they passed us
by. we drove down the lane but decided against going in to our house
(it's quite a hilly area, it'll take a while just to get in). We also
called the police to inform them of the situation. While waiting, So we
kept on driving around the area, passed by Sri Aman school, and kept a
look out. We also stopped and advise this one uncle waiting outside his
house in 14/45 I think with his alphard to be watchful...as we drove
back towards Sri Aman school road to get to our house, the same bikers
were there...riding the opposite direction. I tried to get a good look
at the plate numbers, unfortunately, ALL three bikes had their tail
light off. There were 6 of them btw and all Malays. Then as we drove
around again, we bumped into the patrol car we called for and gave some
descriptions of the bikers. So they made their rounds just to be sure.
So one thing for sure, I think these bikers will definitely try their
luck again some other day. So folks around this area, please be mindful
when u slow down or opening the gates. Most of them are opportunists.
Especially around that hour. They know alot of people just came back
from dinner, work or in ramadhan, perhaps coming back from tarawih. So
do be careful!!
By STUART MICHAEL
metro@thestar.com.my
THE Hulu Selangor District Council’s (MDHS) new method to round up
stray dogs has been effective. MDHS caught 782 stray dogs in the
district from January to May this year. The number has increased 34%
compared to the same period last year.
The most number of stray dogs caught was in Serendah, at 96. There were 86 rounded up in Kuala Kubu Baru and 75 from Batang Kali.
According to MDHS Health and Environment assistant officer Aizul Azrin
Mohd Badri, instead of the usual method of using ropes, they now place
cages and make sure each truck is clean before starting the round-up of
stray dogs.
“Residents will also call us up and tell us where
there are stray dogs,’’ said Aizul, who was at the MDHS dog compound in
Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor.
He said the problem was owners
would not get a licence for their pets while others made sure to remove
the licence before letting their dogs roam the streets.
“This is because the council could fine dog owners found not complying with the rules.
“Some irresponsible owners also refuse to come to the dog pound to collect their dogs because they have to pay a fine.
“Under the council by-laws, dog owners who do not have licence for
their pets can be fined between RM500 and RM2,000 and face up to one
year’s jail or both if found guilty,’’ said Aizul.
He urged those looking for pets to come to the council’s dog pound as the animals would be put to sleep if no one claimed them.
The dogs are kept for a maximum of two weeks before being euthanised and buried.
Those with severe diseases are put to sleep immediately.
The pound separates the strays from dogs they suspect have owners.
Dogs with owners are better groomed, well-fed and will normally lick the hands of the dog catchers who feed them.
“The stray dogs without owners are usually difficult to control,’’ said Aizul.
At present, MDHS’ dog pound has room for about 50 dogs.
The council is expected to increase the number of cages and accommodate more dogs at the pound.
MDHS president Tukiman Nail said the council hoped to reduce the number
of strays roaming around rubbish bins and prevent incidences of the
animals biting residents.
“I advise the public to report any stray dogs in the area. Each dog licence costs only RM10 annually,’’ he said,
For details, go to www.mdhs.gov or call 03-6064 1655.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=central&file=%2F2013%2F6%2F19%2Fcentral%2F13240693
3rd Nov 2012
Taman Cheras
Break In Attempt
shared by Sashirekha Ramachandran
3rd November 2012, Taman Cheras, attempt theft to my neighbour which
eye witness by myself! It was heavy rain and my neighbour was out. A
motorcyclist stopped his motorcycle near to my place and try to jump
over the gate to get inside. Thanks to my two dear dogs who was barking
non-stops and my alertness, when he saw me and started to shout, he
quickly ran to his motorcycle and escaped. The best part is this malay
fella might in the mid of 15 to 17 years old and can act cool when he
saw me! I couldnt track his motorcycle number as it was heavy rain and
my door was locked.
