Animal Activist Calls Out Local Council For Inhumane Killing Of Stray Dogs In Sitiawan
The Manjung Municipal Council has denied all allegations.
By May Vin Ang — 11 Nov 2024, 01:23 PM
An animal activist in Perak has taken to social media to shed light on the alleged inhumane disposal of stray dogs by the local council
Over the past week, the activist, Khairil Azhar Khairuddin, has published several videos on his personal X account showing dead dogs carelessly discarded into a deep hole, which he claims to have found on the outskirts of Sitiawan, Manjung.
Khairil accused the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) of rampantly shooting stray dogs and then dumping them into mass graves, instead of attempting to humanely manage the local stray population.
"I repeat, those that were killed included puppies, pregnant mothers, and old dogs that were not aggressive at all. I knew them because I fed them, including the dogs that my friends and I have sent for neutering to control the population with our own money! Isn't this a more civilised and humane solution? Come on!" he wrote.
The former MPM member said he never condoned such cruel practices when he worked there, but claimed that it has recently become more rampant.
Khairil urged the local council to work with the many animal activists and NGOs in the state to ensure proper management of stray animals
He said efforts such as trap-neuter-and-release programs, sterilisation campaigns, and adoption drives have helped other local councils in Penang and Negeri Sembilan to manage strays.
"Not all dogs should be shot dead under the pretext of preventing the spread of diseases like rabies," he said, condemning the killings.
Khairil pointing to some puppies that were left at the side of the pits to die.
Image via @kyril_graguks (X)However, the council has denied all of the allegations and lodged a police report regarding the issue
In a statement on Sunday, 10 November, the council said the videos uploaded by Khairil have led to negative public perceptions of the council and did not represent the actual location of the council's stray dog transit centre.
"MPM emphasises that all allegations and accusations circulating are untrue and contrary to the procedures MPM follows.
"MPM values animal welfare and ensures that all actions in managing stray animals adhere to the law and ethical standards," it said.
It went on to clarify that the council often receives complaints regarding dog carcasses that needed to be removed from public areas after being hit by vehicles.
"In such cases, dead dogs are buried at our transit centre as part of established animal management procedures. MPM clarifies that no shooting occurs at the transit centre and hopes to prevent any misunderstanding," it said.
Meanwhile, the local police said they have received the council's police report and suspect that the incident in Sitiawan is untrue
According to the New Straits Times, Manjung district police chief ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman said the case is being probed under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988 for improper use of network services.
