The NGOs, led by the Global Human Rights Federation, claim that municipal officers tasked with managing the stray population often resort to inhumane practices, including beating the dogs with iron rods and dragging them by the neck.

Such actions cause either severe injuries to the dogs or lead to their death, they said, describing the killing of strays as a violation of animal rights.

Calls for accountability and reform had fallen on deaf ears, the groups said, despite backlash from the public and animal rights organisations.

In a memorandum addressed to veterinary services director Akma Nga Hamid, the NGOs said if the department empowered to enforce the Animal Welfare Act fails to take action, “who then will protect the welfare of animals”.

The NGOs handed over the memorandum at the department’s headquarters in Putrajaya earlier this evening.

The NGOs also suggested that officials forge a closer relationship with animal shelters and animal rights groups to develop more humane methods to manage strays.

Earlier this week, a stray dog known as Kopi was shot dead during a stray culling operation on Oct 6, in Besut, Terengganu.

The dog went viral on social media in March for playing with a stray cat.

A coalition of animal rights groups has since said it would file a civil suit against the Besut district council for shooting Kopi. A police report was also lodged over Kopi’s killing.