Siti Fauziah Jabbar, president of the animal shelter Fauziah Paws Care in Sungai Buloh, hopes that the government will amend the Animal Welfare Act to protect strays from any form of cruelty.

She also called for more humane tactics to manage strays.

Referring to allegations of cruelty by the Kluang Municipal Council in disposing of strays, she said: “We call on the government to find a solution to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

“We hope the existing law is amended to prevent anyone, including local councils, from treating animals cruelly,” Fauziah told the crowd which had gathered at around 3pm.

Participants were seen carrying placards and banners demanding for laws related to the management of strays to be reformed. The crowd was also heard chanting slogans like “stop killing animals” and “don’t be cruel to stray dogs”.

Last month Fauziah lodged a police report against the municipal council for alleged animal abuse and burying dogs alive.

In the report, the welfare group claimed they had received pictures and videos showing council officers brutally handling several dogs.

It claimed that dogs, including puppies, were dragged while screaming in distress, with smaller and weaker dogs being thrown into mass graves while still alive.

The local council has denied the claims, adding that its officers adhered to procedure. The council also lodged a police report after a video of the alleged incident made rounds on social media.

Separately, an animal activist from Johor Nasir Abdul Aziz, said he was prepared to work with the local councils to find a solution on how to deal with strays, including neutering the animals.

“We are not against the municipal council catching strays, but there is no need to be cruel,” he said, adding that the local council should catch and release these strays away from residential areas.