S’wak, Sabah NGOs urge local councils to reform animal management strategies following killing of dog in Terengganu

A screenshot taken from the short video from My Doggo Forever's Facebook page of Kopi playing with a kitten.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 14: Sarawak and Sabah non-governmental organisations (NGOs) condemned the recent killing of a dog named Kopi by Terengganu councils and called for a reformation of local councils’ animal management strategies.

In a joint statement today, Humane Animal Society Sarawak (HASS), Geng Pusak Jalanan Sarawak (GPJS), Save Our Strays Kuching (SOS), Street Animal Rescuers Association Bintulu (SARA) Zero, Strays Miri, Sibu Animal Rescue Society, and Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare for Animals Sabah (IAPWA Sabah) described the act taken by Terengganu councils as ‘cold-blooded’.

The group said that it is ironic and perverse that local councils, which are supposed to safeguard both human and animal welfare, often become the very institutions that erode public trust.

As such, the group demanded full and immediate action to rectify this tragedy in order to prevent future occurrences.

They also insist on a full investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting, with those responsible held accountable, including an immediate moratorium on lethal methods of stray population control to be replaced by humane approaches consistent with ethical principles.

Among others, they urged for all local councils’ animal management strategies to be reformed, prioritising trapping, neutering, and rehabilitation in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.

“A clear mandate be given to specialised animal welfare bodies like the Department of Veterinary Service (DVS).

“Enforcement of animal welfare should be removed from local councils due to their obvious lack of expertise and knowledge where animal welfare is just one of many competing responsibilities,” it added.

On Oct 11, a Facebook page named My Forever Doggo posted a short video of a homeless dog named Kopi lying down covered in blood and crying in pain after being shot by the local council in Terengganu. The dog eventually succumbed to its injuries. — DayakDaily