LSPCA

Speaking of chickens...

2010-08-05T07:33:00.001-07:00

Recently at an education programme that the LSPCA team conducted at one of the local primary schools, a young sixth/seventh grader asked if it was okay for him to confiscate chickens from people who carry their chickens upside down. He wanted to know if it was okay for him to take the law into his hands and punish any chicken-seller/ buyer who appears to be breaking the law as far as the carrying of chickens is concerned. This question was asked after the learners (their headteacher introduced them to us as learners, not pupils, and they seemed to enjoy being called just that) learned that the police in collaboration with the LSPCA are dealing with anyone who carries chickens upside down, ties them uncomfortably to anything, does not have a proper chicken cage to transport them. The LSPCA does not condone people taking the law into their hands, but it is quite impressive that the kids are proactive enough to want to do something about practices that are disturbing.

As you drive around town or any other community in Lilongwe, the sight of chickens loaded, heaped, or tied upside down is becomming rare. A message has been sent, people are more careful and thoughtful and they are mostly carrying chickens in appropriate cages.

2010-08-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

LSPCA has been conducting education programme since June 2009 in public primay school teaching pupils/learners the welfare of Domestic animals. There some questions that these pupils aks during these lessons. What could have been your answers had it been you were asked these question by these pupils?
1. Why do people decide to stone a dog when they have just seen it even if it is just siting somewhere?
2. Why is that Dogs and Cats are enemies?
3. Is sterilising a dog and a cat not an infringement to the freedom of these animals?

Lets hear ideas as answers some questions asked by pupils!

Thank you

2010-08-02T04:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Richard,

My mother updated me about the rescue of the female dog and I just wanted to thank you very much.
I remembered that you requested a report for your website so I wrote this. Apologies if it is overly long.

“On Saturday 12 June 2010, I went to Dedza with some friends in order to admire the beautiful scenery. While we were there, two of my friends decided to visit a certain orphanage- the Molima Family Home- and I eagerly agreed to join them. However, as we walked into the property, we were horrified to notice that, behind a gate, there were two dogs in a state of utter neglect.

The caretakers of the orphanage introduced themselves and we met the resident children before being shown to the side area behind the gate. I immediately went to assess the condition of the dogs and came to the awful realisation that they were in even worse health than I had at first thought. They were incredibly emaciated, lethargic and had open wounds on their heads and bodies. One (a female) was the thinnest of the two and her ears appeared to have been eaten away by some kind of infection. Their food bowl contained only a white, foamy 'porridge' that resembled vomit. The dogs were each tethered by a very short chain to a post.

I asked one of those in charge of the orphanage whose the dogs were and they replied that they were their guard dogs. My friends and I tried to explain that the dogs needed veterinary care and more sustaining food but our pleas were met only with excuses. We were told that the dogs were sick and the female was especially so because she had given birth to puppies. I said that it may not have been their fault that the dogs became sick but it was wrong to leave them to languish in such a state. Our hosts were obviously keen to change the subject and, as if it would placate me, I was told the horrifying news that there had originally been five dogs but three of them had died! What is more, they seemed to find my distress amusing. Feeling a sense of utter hopelessness, I begged them to at least put the dogs out of their misery.

After we had retuned to our base in Mangochi area, the image of the starving dogs haunted me. Having witnessed many occasions in my own country when concerns about animal abuse have been ignored by the authorities and well-funded yet uncaring animal welfare organisations, I thought it was unlikely that anyone would be willing or able to help. All the same, I wrote a description of the situation and e-mailed it to my mother in Australia, requesting that she forward it to any Malawian animal welfare organisation she could find.

I was thrilled to hear back that an organisation called the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals might be able to help and I phoned their number at the next opportunity (Sunday 20 June). I spoke to Dr Richard Ssuna who acknowledged the seriousness of the case and was willing to send a team to Dedza so as to educate those at the orphanage about their animal welfare obligations or, if they remained unreceptive to advice, to rescue the dogs.

It was with great happiness that I received the information that, on Wednesday 23 June, the LSPCA had visited the Molima Family Home and, after a long discussion with the people there, convinced them to surrender the female dog to the care of the Society. Unfortunately, those in charge of the orphanage refused to hand over the male dog to the LSPCA as they remained adamant they required a guard dog (although the dog was far too weak to actually protect the property).

Dr Richard Ssuna also sent a poignant e-mail to the director of the orphanage to emphasise the need to set a good example to children when it comes to respecting and caring for animals. This e-mail included the request that the male dog be brought to the LSPCA shelter in Lilongwe to receive veterinary treatment.

I am incredibly grateful to the LSPCA for the prompt action they took on this issue. It is wonderful that the female dog no longer has to suffer in such terrible circumstances. Furthermore, my pessimistic feeling that no-one would care enough to help has been replaced with a renewed faith in humanity."

Eliza Waters, Australia

DOG SHOW!!!!

2010-07-30T02:07:00.000-07:00

The DOG SHOW is back again at the Shack, A place with lots of fun with dogs as the dogs will be competing in different categories thats in BEST FANCY DRESSED DOG, BEST GROOMED, WELL BEHAVED, FRIENDLY DOG and lots of other categories. The owners will have to showcase their VOLEEY BALL skills after the DOG RACE. Winner will go home with best prizes for them and their dogs. You cannot afford to miss this show.

All this is on the 28th of August at the SHACK from 8:30 AM. SEE YOU THRE!

Farm day at Mkukula

2010-07-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

This morning the LSPCA team went out to Mkukula primary school in Lumbadzi for farm day. This is where domestic animals are vaccinated and treated. We arrived at exactly 9:05 am and we found an expectant crowd of kids and adults alike with their dogs, chickens, ducks, and even guinea pigs. A puppy with a broken leg came to get some assistance and we took it with us to give it proper treatment.

How should animal cruelty be dealt with in Malawi?

2010-06-07T06:33:00.002-07:00

Animal cruelty cases are not rare to come across in Malawi. Just a few days ago, LSPCA went to some home to look into a case of abuse and this is not uncommon. LSPCA has rescued dogs before from abusive owners and will continue to tackle these cases. As far as I know, you can be punished by the law for animal cruelty. How do you think people who are cruel to animals should be handled? How can we as individuals help put an end to this? How should the government be involved?

Animal welfare in Malawi

2010-05-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

They are many things that threaten the welfare of animals in this country. The LSPCA is among the few organizations in Malawi that work hard to ensure the safety of animals in Lilongwe . what do you think is the state of animal welfare in Malawi at the moment? What are some of the greatest threats to animals in Malawi?