Dr RA Lingeshwaran said he is disappointed by the association’s silence, adding that the incident raised questions not only concerning public safety and compliance with the law, but also relating to animal welfare and the proper handling of livestock.

“The association has both a professional and moral responsibility to provide its views and explanations based on its expertise in animal welfare and good veterinary practices,” he said in a statement.

He also said the public has a right to know whether the actions shown in the viral video of the incident were consistent with animal welfare principles, accepted livestock-handling procedures, and professional veterinary standards.

“Mavma should also provide its assessment on whether there were alternative methods that would have been more appropriate and less extreme in managing the situation,” he said.

Lingeshwaran said if there are reasonable grounds to believe that any provisions of animal welfare laws may have been violated, Mavma should also lodge a formal report so that a transparent, independent, and thorough investigation can be conducted.

Yesterday, police seized the shotgun and nine rounds of buckshot ammunition believed to have been used by Abu Bakar in the shooting incident.

Kangar police chief Yusharifuddin Yusop said Abu Bakar’s statement had been recorded and confirmed that the menteri besar held a valid firearms licence for the shotgun.

The incident drew public attention after a video of it went viral, prompting netizens to question the necessity of using a firearm and whether the action was consistent with the religious procedures for slaughtering cows for Aidiladha in Perlis.

Abu Bakar later clarified that the cow that was shot was not distributed as sacrificial meat and was instead set aside to avoid any controversy.