Over 100 in protest rally against animal cruelty

 The ‘Execute AWA’ gathering was held to highlight the importance of animal welfare amid a surge in animal abuse cases.

Animal lovers from across the country taking part in a peaceful protest this evening over animal cruelty and a perceived lack of enforcement.

KUALA LUMPUR:

 More than 100 people, some representing organisations from across the country, staged a peaceful protest at Dataran Merdeka this evening against animal cruelty and a lack of enforcement against the perpetrators.

The “Execute AWA” protest, aimed at urging the authorities to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, got off to a slow start at 5pm because of the rain, but this did not dampen the spirits of the handful of people gathered.

The number of participants grew steadily after the rain stopped and more than 100 were gathered by 7pm, displaying various placards, including some which read “No Excuse for Animal Abuse”, “Animals are also Allah’s creation” and “Justice for Kopi”.

Kopi was the name of a dog killed when the Besut Municipal Council in Terengganu culled strays last year, after Kopi had become an internet sensation in March 2024 when it was pictured playing with a stray cat.

Several animal rights activists have since filed a suit against the Terengganu government and district council over the case.

The protestors also chanted “Execute AWA” repeatedly before dispersing peacefully.

Pressure on the government

The protestors came from various walks of life, with some representing organisations from across the country, such as the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), the Terengganu-based Stray Animal Organisation (Kasih Malaysia), the Kluang Animal Protection Association and the Cameron Highlands Animal Welfare Society.

Sue Ann Kong, founder of the Execute AWA movement, said the gathering was held to highlight to the government the importance of animal welfare and the worrying increase of animal abuse cases.

“Our call to action is for the government to ensure that the public understand animal abuse is punishable by law,” Kong said.

Citing data from the veterinary services department, Kong said cases of animal abuse had risen from 463 in 2016 to an average of over 2,300 a year from 2021 to 2024.

Muslim sentiments

Kasih Malaysia secretary Nik Hamidi Haron said the group had found that Muslims in Terengganu were not supportive of cruelty against stray dogs, despite sensitivities on the animal.

He also said Kasih Malaysia was ready to assist the government in implementing more humane methods to control the stray population.

“Even in areas where stray dogs are a more sensitive issue, the sentiments of Muslims are that the lives of stray dogs should be defended. Stray dogs should not (be culled),” he said.

Jan Fazal Eladi, of PPIM, also urged the relevant authorities to engage NGOs on managing strays and to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

“The animal rights groups know how to properly reduce the stray populations in a way that is not cruel. They should not kill the animals in such a cruel manner,” she said.

In recent months, various local councils’ approaches to managing stray dogs sparked accusations of animal cruelty. In February, a police report was lodged against the Kluang Municipal Council for allegedly abusing animals and burying dogs alive.

Yesterday, more than 300 people gathered outside Negeri Sembilan’s state secretariat building to protest against the state government’s decision to cull stray dogs in Malay-majority areas. - FMT