In a statement, the department said a team of animal welfare officers checked on a dog pound operated by MPKL on Jan 9 and found that 94 dogs were placed in seven separate rooms.

“The approximate area of each room is 30 square feet. The inspection found that the number of dogs placed in each room did not meet animal welfare requirements.

“An improvement notice under Section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act 2020 (Act 772) was issued to MPKL,” it said.

Following another inspection on Jan 11, the department said MPKL had taken action based on the improvement notice and handed over all of its dogs to animal welfare groups who had applied to take the strays in.

On Wednesday, MPKL said it was reviewing the management of the dog pound under its supervision following criticism over its unhygienic conditions.

It said a review would be carried out by the vector unit of the department of solid waste management and environmental health.

This comes after several videos and pictures were circulated online showing emaciated dogs and unsanitary conditions at the council’s pound.