Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (Miar) is also demanding that the council take action against the staff involved, following a video of the alleged brutality that has since made rounds on social media.

The letter of demand was issued by Miar’s lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Sohanpal, both from Lawyers for Animal Rights.

Miar is giving the council seven days to comply, failing which it will file a civil suit at the Alor Setar High Court.

In a one-minute 27-second video that has gone viral, the council’s personnel can be seen pinning down a white dog with a pitchfork-like tool. One staff is seen kicking the dog, while another is giving the dog an injection.

It is believed that the video was recorded yesterday. They were also seen carrying out the same procedure on another dog.

“What MPKK did was clearly illegal,” Rajesh told FMT, referring to the council.

“Only a veterinarian can put a dog down if necessary.”

Further, he said, police must investigate the case under the Animal Welfare Act and that MPKK should take the necessary action against their staff who committed the wrongdoing.

“MPKK must not be complicit in covering up or condoning the wrongful act of its officers.”