MPK to open three animal shelters by end of 2023

The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) will open three animal shelters for abandoned animals by the end of 2023.

MPK deputy president Elya Marini Darmin said the shelter will be located in Jalan Sungai Pinang in Pulau Indah and two in Taman Perindustrian Kapar Bestari.

The shelters will start their operations by the end of next year and will protect stray cats, cows and dogs.

Elya Marini was speaking at the Klang Royal City Heritage Trail programme, held at Dewan Hamzah MPK.

“Opening of the shelters MPK’s urban move, as well as reducing the number of abandoned animals throughout the Klang area.

She also added that the shelters are situated far from residential areas to avoid disturbance to the surrounding residents.

“So far, discussions are ongoing, and NGOs which specialise in handling abandoned animals are welcome to participate,

Earlier this week, MPK came under heavy criticism for how the council workers handled the stray dogs.

Animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan told a press conference that eyewitnesses saw the council workers allegedly injuring a dog during an animal control operation.

Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) said it received a complaint based on a video that showed how a dog was wounded after MPK enforcement officers caught it.

The viral video showed the dog bleeding through its snout while being held on a leash.

Several residents heard scolding the enforcement officers for hurting the dog.

SAFM said such treatment of animals violated the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

The group urged the veterinary department (DVS) to take action as a warning to other local authorities.

The incident in Klang comes two weeks after Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) officers handled two cows in a “barbaric” manner.

A series of videos shot by a cowherd show MBSP veterinary enforcement officers dragging an unconscious cow with a lasso around its neck into a lorry.

Lawyer-activist Rajesh Nagarajan said that the MBSP enforcement officers’ actions amounted to animal cruelty and went against the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

The Star reported that Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) Health Department director Azmi Muji said he the council catches dogs in a humane manner and is committed to getting strays adopted.

He said the council uses an insulated tube loop to ensure the strays were caught safely.