The video, which was allegedly taken at a flat in Ampang Jaya on Tuesday night, shows four men wearing vests emblazoned with “MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) Contractor” dragging the yelping dog down a flight of stairs.
FMT has contacted MPAJ for a response.
“What these men did was very cruel and action needs to be taken,” said Puspa Rani Thanabalasingam, who lodged a police report on the video at the Sentul police station earlier today.
Puspa Rani, the founder of an NGO known as Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue, said she had lodged similar reports in the past on abuse against dogs, but they had not been acted upon.
She was accompanied to the Sentul police station by lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Sohanpal, both from Lawyers for Animal Rights.
When reporting similar cases in the past, Puspa said city councils told her that their contractors abided by the relevant bylaws and standard operating procedures (SOPs) when dealing with stray animals.
Sachpreetraj, however, rubbished these claims.
“There are very clear and specific guidelines on how you should capture a stray dog and take it to the detention centre,” he said.
“You are not supposed to pull it or drag it. So, any allegations that they are following the SOPs, are untrue. Sadly, enforcement is a big issue.”
If found guilty of animal cruelty under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, the men could each be fined a maximum of RM100,000 and face up to three years’ imprisonment.
Calling the men’s actions as “barbaric”, Rajesh said civil societies should do more to apply pressure on the authorities to stop abusing dogs
Rajesh also urged the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to look into the incident as they had the authority to pursue investigations.
“The DVS should be the beacon everyone looks to for the protection of animal rights — but, sadly, they’re not doing that.
“We need DVS to step up, take up the mantle and fight for animal rights. Such cruelty has gone on long enough.”
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