Led by Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi Kumar, the group accused local councils of carrying out the “systematic and brutal extermination” of strays under what they described as an outdated and poorly enforced legal framework.
“Our two main demands are simple – stop the killings, and reform the law,” Shashi told reporters outside the Prime Minister’s Department here today after handing over the memorandum.
About 150 supporters were present.
The memorandum was received by Indra Zaaba, an aide to the prime minister’s political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin.
Shashi said the local councils have misused provisions under the 10-year-old legislation to justify the killing of stray dogs, often in cruel and inhumane ways, despite existing guidelines for humane capture and handling.
He claimed that Section 59 of the law effectively shields local council officers from prosecution, offering them “immunity” even in cases of brutality.
He accused the housing and local government ministry, along with other relevant agencies, of failing to act despite being presented with evidence of misconduct by enforcement officers.
He also raised concerns about the financial burden placed on rescuers and feeders seeking to retrieve strays from council pounds, claiming that some councils charge between RM1,000 and RM2,000 a dog.
Update on Kopi’s case
Animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said the Kuala Terengganu High Court is expected to deliver its decision on the highly publicised case involving the death of a stray dog named Kopi in early September.
Dr Kartini Farah Abdul Rahim, S Mukunnan, Hong Hai San and Shashi are suing the state government and the Besut district council over the allegedly unlawful killing of the dog in October last year.
They contend that the killing of Kopi by a council enforcement officer violated Sections 29(e) and 30(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
Rajesh, who represents the applicants, said the decision initially scheduled for August was postponed following the court’s request for additional documents.
In May, the same court dismissed an application by the Terengganu government and the Besut district council to strike out the lawsuit.
The case drew national attention after a video of Kopi playing with a stray cat went viral in March last year.
On Oct 6, the Instagram account “My Forever Doggo” said Kopi had been shot dead during a council stray culling operation in Besut.