An animal activist has filed a legal challenge against the Cameron Highlands District Council’s (MDCH) bounty of RM40 per stray dog captured by the public and handed to it.
Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (Miar) founder T Puspa Rani filed the judicial review leave application at the Temerloh High Court in Pahang on April 25.
Filed on her behalf by law firm Messrs Raj & Sach, the legal action listed the local council as the respondent.
According to cause papers sighted by Malaysiakini today, she is targeting the council’s decision on Jan 27 to launch the project titled Program Penjana Pendapatan Semasa PKP; Iklan Bagi Penangkapan Anjing Liar di Kawasan Pentadbiran MDCH (Programme to Generate Income During MCO; Advertisement for the Capture of Stray Dogs in the Administrative Area of MDCH).
Puspa contends that this reason for the proposed acquisition goes against the law and was made with malicious intent and abuse of power by the respondent.
Among the reliefs she is seeking is for a certiorari order to quash the council’s Jan 27 decision and a prohibitory order to prevent the respondent from launching the project that ignores the fundamental rights of animals and endangering them.
She seeks a mandamus order for the council to release animals captured and kept by it, to the Animal Rights Society without harming the animals.
She also seeks a court order for the council to pay the Animal Rights Society damages for any injury suffered by the animals captured and kept in relation to the project, for rehabilitation and medical purposes.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Puspa confirmed having filed the judicial review leave application through the law firm.
Her counsel Rajesh Nagarajan also confirmed the legal action, adding that there is a danger of even pet dogs being “dognapped” for the RM40 offered by the project.
“It is undeniable that dogs caught by members of the public will inevitably be subjected to abuse contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
“In an attempt to get more money, it is foreseeable that even pet dogs may be dognapped for the RM40 reward.
“The purpose of the judicial review (leave) application is to prevent such harm from befalling the stray dogs and pet dogs in Cameron Highlands,” he said.
The lawyer added that the cause papers have been served on the council and that the matter is set for hearing before the Temerloh High Court on July 14. - Mkini
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