Negri govt apologises for public euthanasia of 8 stray dogs

File pic of stray dogs.

SEREMBAN: Two state government agencies have apologised after its officers publicly euthanised eight stray dogs during a joint operation in a residential area here.

Seremban Municipal Council president Datuk Zazali Salehudin and state Department of Veterinary Services director Dr Zul Edham Wagiman said they were aware that the act had upset many animal lovers, as well as non-governmental organisations.

"We know this is a sensitive issue, as it concerns animal welfare as well as the manner the way the operation was conducted.

"We are also aware that this has caused many parties such as NGOs, animal rights activists and groups to be upset and we apologise to the all of them," they said in a joint statement.

.The DVS and MPS had conducted the operation in Bandar Warisan Puteri last Thursday, where the officers publicly euthanised eight stray dogs.

The pictures of the canines being put to sleep went viral and drew flak from many quarters, with some netizens claiming it to be barbaric act.

Both Zazali and Dr Zul Edham said the departments had to act after getting plenty of complaints on strays from residents.

"We had almost 1,000 complaints from Seremban and Nilai alone and managed to resolve only 6% of the cases.

"We then decided to conduct operations in risky areas such as near schools or in areas where there had been reports of victims being bitten," they added.- Star