Recently, Langkawi MP Datuk Mohd. Suhaimi Abdullah proposed the creation of a dedicated island to house stray dogs, ensuring their welfare while potentially turning it into a unique tourist attraction.
According to him, this initiative would include veterinary facilities and be managed in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local authorities.
Ongoing struggles with stray dog population
Reported by Kosmo!, Mohd. Suhaimi revealed that he had raised concerns about stray dogs in Parliament as early as March 2023, urging animal lovers to adopt them.
The Langkawi Municipal Council (MPL) has since taken steps by constructing kennels, capturing and neutering dogs without euthanising them due to objections from animal welfare groups.
In September 2023, I highlighted how these stray dogs were biting tourists almost every week. However, such cases were not widely reported to protect Langkawi’s reputation as a tourist destination,” he said.
Despite MPL’s efforts, Langkawi struggles with limited funds to sustain these measures.
Rising cases of dog attacks
The issue has become increasingly concerning, with data showing 20 reported dog bite cases between 2020 and 2023, while the Health Department recorded 16 stray dog attacks in the same period.
In 2022 alone, 455 dogs were captured, followed by 440 in 2023. However, some dogs handed over to NGOs were later released back into the wild.
The proposal for a dedicated island comes after a recent tragic incident where a four-year-old boy suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs near his home in Kampung Dedek, Sungai Menghulu, Langkawi.
With concerns over both public safety and animal welfare, Mohd. Suhaimi believes that a dedicated island could be the best solution.
If implemented, it would not only ensure the well-being of stray dogs but also prevent further incidents while potentially adding a new attraction to Langkawi.
READ ALSO:
