Twelve animal rights groups will haul the Kulim Municipal Council (MPKK), Kedah to court over alleged brutal acts during an operation to nab stray dogs earlier this month.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who is representing the non-governmental organisations, told Malaysiakini today that they seek to file the lawsuit by next week.
“In relation to the Kulim (alleged) killing of the stray dogs recently, we are filing a suit against MPKK.
“For the first time, there are 12 animal rights NGOs who have come together to file the suit against MPKK. It is akin to a class-action suit by 12 parties who have been aggrieved by the actions of the MPKK,” Rajesh said.
The groups are the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association; Furrykids Safehaven; the Cameron Highlands Animal Welfare Society (Chaws); the Lost Animal Souls Shelter Society; the Spaying Adoption Management Society (Sama), Penang; and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Johor Bahru.
“We will be seeking a declaration (relief sought via the suit) from the High Court in Alor Setar that the killing of stray dogs is an illegal act by the MPKK.
“I will be filing the suit next week, probably Monday or Tuesday,” he added.
On July 10, it was reported that the police were investigating the incident allegedly committed by the council’s enforcement officers during the operation at the Taman Tiram housing area in Kulim.
Kedah police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat was reported as saying that two reports had been lodged over the alleged incident which went viral on social media.
He was quoted by Bernama as saying that an investigation paper was opened under Section 428 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless, any animal, which provides imprisonment of up to three years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
He was also reported as saying that the police were still in the midst of an investigation to determine the laws and standard operating procedures in dealing with stray and feral dogs.
A video allegedly showing MPKK enforcement officers torturing a dog during an operation on July 8 has since made its rounds on social media. The workers’ cruelty has raised public ire, with several parties urging for an investigation into the incident. - Mkini
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