Hero S Death Exposes Gap In State S Rescue Mission

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As the country celebrates its 68th year of Merdeka this month, Malaysia is still unable to reach a mature level of humanity with progressive policies and implementation for animal welfare and rights.
Questions arise as to what is causing this resistance in political will. What happened to the narrative of collective responsibility that we so often hear from our political leaders?
The story of Hero, the stray dog who was trapped on a rooftop in Penang for a week, but eventually slipped to his death (Aug 27), wrenched the hearts of animal lovers and anyone who has a compassionate soul.
The Penang Animal Welfare Society (4Paws) and many other NGOs and independent groups have been at the forefront of the rescue mission and have tried their best to save the dog.
ADSRescuers tried to throw the dog a lifeline by coaxing it to come near by luring it with food. Out of fear and suspicion, the dog refused. It was a losing battle; the dog eventually slipped and fell to its death.
“Rest in peace, dear one. You were not invisible. You were loved, even if only in your final days,” were the touching words of rescuers.
Cage with chicken to lure HeroUrgent need for protocol
Although fleeting, the stray dog’s story starkly exposed the emptiness in the hearts of those who wield the power to save lives but choose not to do so.
What could have been done to prevent this unnecessary death? It was a glaring lack of empathy in the system and a total loss of opportunity for the state to showcase its compassionate policy of animal welfare and rescue.
Yes, the municipal council sent a team to rescue the dog, but their effort was inadequate. The rescue attempt lasted for a week, showing a lack of urgency in deploying more advanced resources.
A standardised, well-equipped, and professionally managed protocol for high-risk animal rescues in urban environments should have been in place.
When contacted, International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang chapter president Choong Koon Yean said there were suggestions from an experienced dog rescuer to use ropes, harnesses, and airbags to keep both the dog and rescuer safe.
Fire Department personnel at the sceneLocal council personnel with a netHowever, the dog rescuer said, this may be possible only with the support of the authorities.
“I passed this idea along, hoping a coordinated rescue could happen with the council, fire department, and professionals involved.
“But when the council and firefighters arrived for joint operations, there were already many kind-hearted rescuers from different NGO and independent groups making their own attempts,” Choong told Malaysiakini.
ADS“Everyone meant well, but without one clear agency leading, the situation became very hard to manage,” she added.
Choong said that at present, in Penang and Malaysia generally, there is no designated leadership or specialised agency to coordinate high-risk animal rescues.
She added that this situation really highlights the urgent need for proper protocol, so that all the goodwill and efforts can come together smoothly for the safety of both the animal and people.
Silence and inaction
Hero’s story also begs the question, where were state elected representatives who should be on high alert for incidents such as this? There was hardly any statement from them. YBs, your silence was deafening. A word from you, a plea, or a directive would have made a difference.
Hero trapped on a rooftopCan we then be so bold as to say that the tidak apa attitude and limited involvement of state machinery ultimately contributed to the dog’s demise?
Karin Lee of the Malaysia Animal Protection Society said that every attempt at a rescue is never 100 percent successful, as it is risky for animals and the rescuers.
“When it’s successful, everybody will be elated and hailed as heroes. If it fails, the blame game and the theories will present themselves. That is the horrible nature of humankind.
“Was the tragedy preventable? Extremely hard to say in this circumstance. However, unpredictable external factors most time do not help.
“In this case, it was the stormy weather and too much human presence. Whatever it is, the fast response and effort of the community is commendable,” she added.
More than a heartbreaking and tragic story, the dog’s death is an indictment that more should be done by the state, which failed to act decisively and compassionately when it mattered most. - Mkini
SUSAN LOONE is a member of the Malaysiakini team.

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