Animal Activists Sue Terengganu Govt & Local Council Over Shooting Of Kopi The Dog
They are seeking a declaration to prohibit local council officers from killing non-dangerous animals.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 16 Dec 2024, 06:22 PM
Four animal activists have filed a lawsuit against the Terengganu state government and the Besut District Council for the alleged unlawful killing of Kopi, a stray dog, in October
The plaintiffs — Dr Kartini Farah Abdul Rahim, S Mukunnan, Hong Hai San, and S Shashi Kumar — filed the lawsuit in the Kuala Terengganu High Court last week.
According to FMT, the plaintiffs stated that Kopi's killing by a council enforcement officer violated Sections 29(e) and 30(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA), which prohibit causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and killing an animal with a firearm, respectively.
They seek a declaration that the law prohibits the shooting of animals, except in cases outlined in Section 30(2) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA). These exceptions include instances where the killing of an animal, authorised by a veterinary authority, is necessary to prevent imminent danger to human life, or is conducted to control the spread of disease.
The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that Sections 9(1) and 9(2) of the Dog Licensing By-Laws (Besut District Council) 1990 are in conflict with Sections 29(e) and 30(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA).
When Kopi was killed in October, the Besut District Council cited the Dog Licensing By-Laws 1990 as justification for its action. Its president Mohd Sukeri Ibrahim defended his officers, saying they did not breach any standard operating procedure (SOP).
Kopi was described as a friendly stray dog, who was seen playing with a stray kitten in a viral video that touched the hearts of netizens
The killing of Kopi came after My Forever Doggo, a local media platform for pets, had on 4 October highlighted the dog for its gentleness to celebrate World Animal Day.
However, the media company later shared that Kopi was found dead two days later, claiming it was indiscriminately killed by the Terengganu local council.
"There are more humane ways of treating homeless animals. Killing these homeless dogs does not change the situation; helping them does," wrote My Forever Doggo on 11 October.
The two posts by My Forever Doggo have collectively garnered over 100,000 likes, with netizens mourning the death of the sweet dog, and demanding justice and the humane management of stray dogs.
