Rajesh Nagarajan said the actions of the enforcement officers were against animal protection laws.

A series of videos shot by a cowherd show MBSP veterinary enforcement officers dragging an unconscious cow with a lasso around its neck into a lorry.

Another was seen dragging a cow by its tail. It was learnt that the cows were unconscious after being tranquilised and had their legs tied.

The cowherd’s family claimed that one of the cows was pregnant.

In a statement, MBSP said the cattle were seized along Jalan Baru in Perai as part of a routine operation to rid strays which posed a danger to the public and motorists.

The city council said the two cows were in good health at the animal pound and that enforcement officers had adhered to the SOPs and council bylaws concerning stray animals.

Rajesh said while the owners of the animals might have committed an offence by allowing the cattle to graze in a prohibited area, the animals should not be mistreated.

He urged the veterinary services department and police to take action against the enforcement officers.

“MBSP should have fined the herder. That ought to be a deterrent, the cows do not need to be cruelly manhandled.

“This is animal cruelty and police reports should be made against the council officers, as it is against the Animal Welfare Act 2015,” he told FMT.

Rajesh said MBSP was equally culpable for not training their personnel to handle animals humanely.

Meanwhile, the cowherd, who was allegedly involved in a scuffle with the enforcement officers after he pleaded with them to release the animals, had been arrested.

His family members said the 44-year-old man had been remanded for two days and would be investigated for obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duties.

FMT has reached out to the police for comment.