ELEVEN stray dogs have died of poisoning within the span of a week at Elmina Garden, U16, Shah Alam – and the culprit is still at large.



Bodies of the stray dogs, as well as those of birds, have been found at the Crista, Cressida and Garinia, Elmina East parts of the residential area since July 24, at different hours of the day.



Kelvin Raj, one of the founders of Dogs of Denai Alam (Doda), a dog lover group, said he believed the dogs were poisoned.



He said they came to the conclusion when they found no external injuries, only foam around the dead dogs' mouths as well as excretions.



“Seven plastic bowls were found in the central garden facing the three housing areas, and it is believed that the contents had poison,” he said.



Kelvin said two puppies survived the poisoning after being sent to the vet in time.



He said strays had been in the area since before residents moved in. Although they didn’t harm people, residents were uncomfortable with the dogs' presence.



Doda will be pushing to get eye witnesses and distribute flyers.



Sime Darby Property collected the bowls, and two of them were handed over the the police.



According to Kelvin, Doda had been working with the Denai Alam Residents’ Association, Shah Alam City Council, SPCA, and PAWs to come up with a permanent and humane zero-stray solution for U16.



Elmina Garden resident Tham Shaw Shiuan, who informed Kelvin of the case, said no one seemed to know who was behind the poisoning.



“I have asked neighbours who have CCTV cameras outside their houses to see if they could spot anything, but the cameras are not facing the garden where the bowls were placed.



"And some of the bowls were placed facing empty homes,” she said.



Tham said that leaving poisoned food out in the open posed a danger not only to pets, but also children.



Shah Alam City councillor Muhammad Shakir Ameer Mohideen said the city council was working together with the residents’ association and non-government groups- SPCA and PAWS to reduce the number of strays in U16, Shah Alam.



He said residents would assists MBSA in catching dogs in the most humane way possible, and that PAWS and SPCA will handle the adoption process of dogs caught.



“Since the number of strays is high in the area, we are looking at having a space to keep the dogs and work on the necessary processes to encourage adoption.”



He said that it was regrettable that irresponsible people would resort to poisoning the strays.



In another case of animal cruelty, some strays were spotted with severed legs in Denai Alam a few days ago.



Three dogs were found with a severed leg each and one with a freshly cut limb.



Doda has requested Denai Alam residents to be on a lookout for suspicious activities of dog abuse.



Meanwhile Sime Darby Property spokesman said they had submitted a report to MBSA in April on the strays in Elmina Garden, requesting for the council’s assistance.



“Sime Darby Property remains committed to the safety of residents in all of its townships and we also share the public’s concern about the plight of stray animals,” said the spokesman.