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Stray shot dead at T2
Published on: Monday, October 26, 2020
By: Shirley Khong
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Gisele was harmless but the alleged shooter chose to end her life. Giselle’s two other furry companions managed to escape the cruel act.
ONE day, Tanjung Aru discovered a new dog in their midst, whom feeders named Giselle. Those of us who love our animals would never dream of throwing them away even in the worst of times, but it is a common practice in Sabah. Such was Giselle’s fate, being a creature without a voice or rights.  

During her time in Tg Aru since February this year, Giselle was caught and spayed, fed, and well looked after by her feeders. Giselle, who was skin and bones at the beginning, was very frightened and timid, unsure of her surroundings, scared of other dogs, and humans especially. 

As time passed, she made friends with Chess and Maxine, who were also abandoned. The three of them formed a strong bond. They were inseparable, a friendship that was as beautiful to watch as it was heartwarming. Giselle blossomed into a beautiful, big, strong girl.  

Although wary of strangers, these three dogs were gentle creatures. They never approached a human, a very common trait among animals who have suffered abuse in the past. They were even cautious with the feeders who treated them with love and kindness.

It was with great shock and sadness when we discovered Giselle had been allegedly shot to death by a Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) staff on Oct 16. 

At approximately 4pm that day, these three friends had wandered unknowingly into the operational area of Terminal 2 (T2). Upon hearing shots fired, Chess and Maxine were able to escape, but for Giselle, it was too late. 

The one time she needed to be swift, she failed. We can only hope she died instantly. Her body was left there unattended. When she did not show up for her feeding, her feeders searched for her. A day later, one of them heard that a dog had been killed at T2. When it was confirmed by nearby workers that, indeed, a dead dog was still laying at T2, it became a dreadful reality that Giselle had fallen. With the help of workers in the area, our feeders retrieved her decomposing body for burial.  The brutality of this act leaves all of us stunned and heartbroken.

There are many things that MAHB could have done to prevent these dogs from entering the premises, specifically ensuring that the perimeter is properly and securely fenced. Even though T2 isn’t used much anymore, why is the property not maintained to keep out strays? 

This disrepair is what caused Giselle and her friends to be able to wander in and be in harm’s way. There will be other strays whose paths will also take them to T2. Is it the intention of MAHB to shoot every one of them without hesitation? 

Surely, there are life-affirming ways to keep them off the property? As timid as they are, shooing them away, tranquillising them or even calling an animal NGO for help/advice, would have been a much better solution. Resorting to shooting Giselle was vicious and unnecessary and downright cruel!

Unfortunately it is always the dogs who are victimised. If only humans would not allow their pets to wander outside; there would be no strays and thus no such problems. Just as if MAHB had kept their fencing perimeters  in good condition these strays wud not have been able to wander in. 

It is not the fault of the dog but the fault of the humans. However, sadly it is always the strays who pay the price and in Giselle’s case, a heavy price!

Chess and Maxine have lost a friend. They look for Giselle, not eating much when their feeders show up. Animals have feelings, just as we humans do. One does not have to be around them all day, or watch countless videos online to know that they are capable of forming deep bonds with each other. 

We cannot apologise enough to Chess and Maxine that their best friend is gone, nor can we make them understand why humans can be so incredibly cruel.

We have a moral obligation to treat strays with compassion and humanity.



 

We also have a moral obligation to prevent such cases from happening by neutering our animals to avoid unwanted litters contributing to the massive stray population. 

If Malaysia was to introduce compulsory sterilisation of all pets, we would see a significant reduction of strays by abandonment and less abuse and cruelty. In a better more caring society, our dogs and cats are loved, wanted and cared for. 

The rate at which we as a society are handling strays and the problems they pose is not on par with how quickly they are breeding. SPCA-KK has already helped rehome 12 strays from the Tg Aru area. Shelters in Sabah are overwhelmingly full, unable to keep up. 

There is a false belief among some of us that pedigrees are more superior than our local breeds. All we can say to that form of snobbery is that you have not seen how intelligent, adorable, and loyal our local cats and dogs are. 

All pets should also be microchipped to add another layer of protection against dumping, being lost, and the many creative ways that humans can hurt cats and dogs. We see unspeakable horrors daily.

Meanwhile, we urge the veterinary community to play its part by offering, once or twice a month, much cheaper, affordable sterilisation to the many among us who cannot afford to pay full price. 

Giselle paid with her life, but her death need not be in vain to reform inhumane laws and to change our behaviour.

There are still plenty of beautiful dogs and cats out there, waiting to be adopted into their forever, loving, secure home. Please contact the following if you wish to adopt a local domestic:

- SPCA KK – 0198809660

Adrienne/Shelter of Hope – 0168429598

- Shyma/Likas Animal Sanctuary – 0128330217

Tracy/BAWSS – 0195355558

Shirley/Fair – 0168429595

Dr Roslee/Heart

Aldrin/Alir - 0138885060

May May/Miracle’s Mission - 0168382111

Giselle’s case is still open, under police investigation. We will update as soon as we know anything. 

Giselle may be gone but she will always be remembered by those who knew her. Rest happy in Doggie Heave Giselle. We love you!

Note: If you have any comments/useful suggestions, please post in Fair Sabah Facebook.



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