IN APPRECIATION: Dr Koh (second left) hands over a memento to Wong after opening the dog show.

SIBU : Dog owners must take care of their dogs and not let them roam the streets.

This call came from Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who said the presence of many stray dogs in the streets here was because their owners did not take care of them and let them run wild.

“To me, if you do not take proper care of your dog, it is tantamount to cruelty to the animal. Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is aware of the stray dogs around and will be trying to get rid of them,” he said when officiating at the opening of the 14th Sarawak Kennel Association (SKA) All Breeds Championship Dog Show 2013 at the Civic Centre here yesterday.

CUTE DOGS: Wong (centre) being introduced to a couple of Schnauzer (miniature) pedigree dogs imported from Germany by Lo (second right) at the dog show.

A total of 56 pedigree dogs took part in the show — Chihuahua, Chow Chow, English Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Miniature Pincher, Miniature Schnauzer, Pekingnese, Pomeranian, Rottweiler, Rough Collie, Shih Tzu and Siberian Husky.

Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, noted that people had different hobbies.

“It is important for us to have some balance in life.

“We do not only work all the time, we ought to pursue something pleasurable that brings happiness.

“Because in this modern world and competitive society, there are stresses and strains of life. One way is to pursue certain hobbies to make our life more flexible, meaningful and happier.

“I can see that many of you are devoted to dogs — something not common in our Asian society. I was studying in Australia and stayed with a landlady who kept a pet dog.

“One morning when I got up, I saw her crying away because her pet dog died suddenly at the age of 12.

“She requested me not to go to class that day but to stay with her to arrange a proper funeral for her pet dog.

“From there, we can see how much care this Westerner devoted to her pet dog,” he related.

Among others, the dog show was to help promote interest, breed standard, responsible dog ownership and social responsibilities among the community in Sibu and the greater central Sarawak region.

The presiding judge for the show was John Lo from Hong Kong who has been involved with dogs for over five decades as an owner, breeder, exhibitor and FCI championship show judge.

Lo started judging in 1990 and had judged in Australia, New Zealand, England, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Sabah, Sarawak and Thailand.

President of SKA Johnson Jong, chairman of SKA Sibu chapter Dr Koh Ung Leong and organising chairman Calvin Chan were among those present at the show, whose main sponsor was Smart Heart, an established pet food brand distributed by TLS Marketing Sdn Bhd.

For those interested to know more about SKA, check out SKA’s website at www.skamalaysia.com or join SKA on facebook at www.facebook.com/skamalaysia.