Animal Lovers Want MPKL Officers Charged For Alleged Negligence In Handling Trapped Strays
Several civil society organisations (CSO) and activists called for Kuala Langat Municipal Council officers to be charged, for the alleged abuse of over 100 dogs under its care.
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Dogs have earned the title of man’s best friend since the dawn of time and have always been known as loyal creatures.
Unfortunately, man’s best friend isn’t always appreciated as they should be — but fret not as they have back up!
Yesterday, several civil society organisations (CSO) and activists called for Kuala Langat Municipal Council officers to be held accountable for the alleged abuse of over 100 dogs under its care.
This came after a video and photos of MPKL canine pound facility went viral on social media last month, showing many emaciated dogs crammed inside dilapidated kennels.
The group, which included members of four NGOs and independent dog rescuers, questioned why the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) had not pressed charges against MPKL officers in charge of the dog pound despite its investigation that revealed it was not up to standard set by the law.
They also claimed that MPKL’s lack of care had led to many dogs being underfed and at risk of dying.
Dr Kartini Farah Rahim speaking on behalf of the Malaysia Animal Kindness Society, told a press conference held yesterday that they believed the dogs were not fed by the council on purpose, contrary to MPKL’s statement claiming that it did feed the canines twice a day.
“We want to know if this method to let dogs die from hunger has been a practice. Was it to make it easier for them to clean up the kennels? Was it to weaken the dogs so that they won’t fight each other?”
Dr Kartini Farah Rahim, Representative of Malaysia Animal Kindness Society
She also urged the Selangor DVS to finalise its investigation as soon as possible and charge the MPKL officers who failed to take care of the dogs.
“The department should inform us when they plan to bring the officers to court,” she said.
Kartini added that the chairman of the Kuala Langat Municipal Council should hold a press conference on the reasons for their failure to provide the basic necessities the captured canines needed as well as be transparent on the number of officers who were subject to disciplinary action.
“We also urge the council to ensure that the number of dogs confined in one space is appropriate to the room capacity and manpower (staff) and they are given enough food and drinks”
Dr Kartini Farah Rahim, Representative of Malaysia Animal Kindness Society
Kartini also noted that sick dogs and puppies should be kept in separate rooms.
Early in January, MPKL reportedly came under criticism after an animal lover took photos of dogs inside its pound and shared them on social media.
Following this, the DVS had gone to the pound to investigate and issued the council a notice ordering it to improve the condition of its kennels according to requirements under the Animal Welfare Act.
MPKL in a statement on Jan 11 said that following the viral video, it has reviewed its standard operating procedures for the dog pound.
The council also denied allegations that it did not feed the impounded dogs, saying that the canines were given food twice a day.
MPKL had also handed over 110 dogs that were under its care to an NGO which had volunteered to take them.
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