PETALING JAYA: A dog rescuer has called on local authorities to show more care and compassion for animals, following an outcry over the capture of stray dogs by the Kulim Municipal Council (MPKK).
Kavithradevi Pragasan said one of the dogs was pregnant and subsequently gave birth to two puppies at the council’s compound. However, both puppies did not survive.
“I hope the authorities can be kinder when performing their duties,” Kavithradevi told FMT.
In a video posted on social media, Kulim municipal council enforcement workers could be seen hauling one of the dogs by its neck over an approximately 1.5m-tall gate, before heaving it into a cage using a slip noose dog-catching pole.
The strays were sent to the MPKK Junjung Kulim dog pound, where one of them subsequently gave birth to two puppies.
“If the municipal council does catch dogs, it should inform the nearest animal shelter, but right now, there is no communication,” Kavithradevi said, pleading that they be given better treatment.
“There are not many places with animal clinics to deal with emergencies. There are some government facilities, but in Kulim, these are not often used. If possible, the government should establish 24-hour animal clinics.”
Through a RM550 “bail-out” fee, Kavithradevi facilitated the dogs’ release but was unable to save the puppies as hours of neglect had allowed ants to swarm the newborns.
She claimed that the officers “did nothing, they just left them there”.
“Even when I informed the guard post, they didn’t care.”
The 11 dogs have been taken by Kavithradevi to a friend’s house, while she waits for her own animal shelter to be set up in a few weeks.
In a statement, the Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) condemned the incident, pointing out that it was a violation of the council’s own SOP for safe dog capture.
“Among the SOPs listed are that (officers) cannot drag captured animals as it can cause injury to the neck.
“Also, they must use a platform when loading a dog into a vehicle, so that it can walk up, instead of being dragged and thrown,” said SAFM president R Kalaivanan.
Kalaivanan called for a response from MPKK, questioning what action would be taken to ensure such an incident would not be repeated.
“According to the Animal Welfare Act 2015, harming an animal is a punishable offence. Does the act apply to MPKK?”
FMT has reached out to MPKK for comment.