KUALA LUMPUR: Animal welfare activists and NGOs have called on the government and local authorities to adopt humane solutions to control the stray animal population.
The appeal came during a peaceful candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka tonight, held in remembrance of "Kopi", a stray dog fatally shot by the Besut District Council in Terengganu last October.
Despite being brutally shot, to date no one has been charged in court for the murder of the stray.
Speaking to the New Straits Times after the vigil, Selangor Furry Future Association (SFFA) president S. Shashi Kumar said the killing of stray animals has proven to be an ineffective method of population control despite decades of implementation.
"The government's mechanism of killing stray animals has failed. Even after all these years, the stray animal population continues to grow. The government should instead adopt the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programme and provide subsidies for the neutering efforts.
"Many animal lovers and activists are already neutering stray animals at their own expense without any government assistance. But with limited funds and resources, NGOs and animal activists can only do so much," he said, urging the government to review their strategy to curb the stray animal population in the country.
Shashi also called for increased government support, including funding for shelters instead of outsourcing animal control to municipal authorities who engage in mass culling operations.
"We can manage and reduce the stray animal population more effectively using the TNR programme, proper support, and funding. Look at Penang, for instance; the state government has collaborated with local NGOs to carry out the TNR programme. It's relatively a success," he said.
A strong crowd of over 400 animal rights activists, including animal lovers, shelter owners, NGOs, and even a group of bikers, took part in the gathering to seek justice for Kopi.
Among the NGOs which participated in the vigil were the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association, Persatuan Sayangi Haiwan Selangor, Woo & Meow Animal Shelter Organisation, Persatuan Suara Haiwan Malaysia, and Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM).
Shelter owners and animal lovers were also among the 400 who attended the gathering at Dataran Merdeka tonight.
Some carried placards, banners, and candles as they gathered peacefully from 6.30pm until 8pm.
Meanwhile, Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia's (Peka) president, Rajesh Nagarajan, said the government must adopt zero tolerance towards animal cruelty and even the smallest offence involving an animal must be charged in court.
This way, he said, it would deter others from abusing or mistreating animals, as people would know the legal consequences they might face.
"This is what the animal welfare groups are asking: set a precedent and make it zero tolerance to any sort of animal cruelty. We are not asking for something which is not in the country's laws. We have a law designated for the wellbeing of animals, the Animal Welfare Act 2015, just need to enforce it accordingly," he said.
He also lauded the latest announcement by the Selangor state government, which has given its word that there would not be any culling of stray animals.
"The announcement is a big win for animal welfare organisations, NGOs, and animal lovers in the country," Rajesh said.
Speaking about Kopi, Rajesh, who is also the founder of Lawyers for Animal Rights, demanded that the perpetrator be charged in court.
He said it has been about three months now and so far no one has been charged in court for Kopi's murder.
"It's obvious they (police) are dragging their feet in Kopi's case and that is why the long wait. What we don't quite understand is that, in other cases except animal welfare cases, investigations are quickly conducted and charged in court, but in a case like the murder of Kopi, it is taking investigators so long to wrap up the case," he said.
"Just as humans have human rights, animals also have their right to live here. No one has the right to decide which animal gets to live and which animal doesn't," said Rajesh.
He added that under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, there are provisions for a statutory animals board, which is nowhere to be seen or heard even after 10 years of the Act.
"This board, if it does exist, will be responsible for the welfare of animals and the fight against animal cruelty, but unfortunately, we still don't know if the statutory board for animals was ever set up.
"They claim to have an Animal Welfare Board, but they only speak among themselves without involving external experts or NGOs," said the animal welfare advocate.
Rajesh said the attendance tonight at the candlelight vigil is testament that the citizens want better animal rights in Malaysia.
Also present at the vigil was former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's son, Nashriq Ismail Sabri, who is also the founder of Suara Haiwan Malaysia.
The shooting of Kopi violated the Animal Welfare Act 2015, specifically Sections 29(e) and 30(1), which prohibit the use of firearms on animals.
The controversy began on Oct 13 last year, when MDB president Mohd Sukeri Ibrahim defended the council's actions. He had said the disposal of the stray dog Kopi was in line with procedures, denying claims that the dog was abandoned after being shot.