Lawyer Gavin Jayapal, who appeared for Persatuan Perlindungan Haiwan Kluang, said Justice Nurulhuda Nur’aini Nor allowed the interim stay last week.

Jayapal said the attorney-general (AG) was objecting to the leave application and that the Attorney-General’s Chambers would file its written submissions by Thursday.

“The judge has fixed June 5 to hear the AG’s objection. The court granted an interim stay to the applicant (Persatuan Perlindungan Haiwan Kluang),” he told FMT.

Senior federal counsel Suhana Sabil represented the AG.

The association, in its application filed early this month, sought a declaration that the council had breached a 2014 SOP issued by the secretary-general of the housing and local government ministry on trapping and moving stray dogs.

It also sought a declaration that the council’s conduct of improperly housing multiple stray dogs on Feb 4 this year in a single cage without food and water was a breach of the SOPs.

The applicant also sought a declaration that the council had destroyed stray dogs and buried them alive on Feb 7 in violation of the SOPs.

It is seeking a declaration that the stray dogs were killed in a cruel and inhumane manner, as well as a mandamus order requiring the council to strictly follow the SOPs in all future actions involving the destruction of stray dogs or animals.

The association is seeking damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

A police report had been lodged against the council for allegedly abusing animals and burying dogs alive.

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

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