Sisters upset at losing ‘pets’
Rehomed kids now miss the animals that lived with them in squalor
hansean@thestar.com.my
KUANTAN: Three sisters who lived in squalid conditions with animals are now adjusting to a new lease of life at a children’s home.
The girls, aged nine, 10 and 12, said they were well but missed their pets.
They had been living with their uncle, a welder, in a garbage-strewn upper level of a shophouse at Lorong Seri Damai Perdana 57 here until the Welfare Department intervened.
The filthy conditions were made worse by the presence of 13 dogs, civet, turtle, a bird and fish the girls were rearing.
Teruntum assemblyman Sim Chon Siang said the uncle had started giving away the dogs and when the girls came to know about it, they became very upset.
The eldest sister said she asked her uncle to take special care of her pet civet as she had accidentally hurt the animal recently.
On Monday, Sim got the Welfare Department to step in, saying the girls must not be allowed to continue living in such a deplorable condition.
Sim said the uncle had to give up custody of the girls for now, or the Welfare Department would have to act against him for neglect.
They were then sent to the Rapha Children’s Home until their family can provide a better living environment.
Sim said it was likely that the girls would be staying at the home permanently once their father gives his consent.
It is learnt that during the uncle’s meeting with the department, it was discussed whether it would be better for the girls to remain under the care of a children’s home.
Rapha Children’s Home supervisor Grace Chan said the uncle got in touch with the girls’ father who is expected to give his consent soon.
She said arrangements were being made for the girls to be transferred to a nearby school.
Yesterday, former Pahang Mentri
Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, who said he was touched after reading about their plight, dropped by the home.
Adnan treated the home’s residents to lunch and also made a donation, asking Chan to take the girls for a medical checkup.
“I have also asked a friend to help out with the home’s monthly expenses,” he said.