Outrage erupts over Kopi’s killing by Besut District Council

The killing of a stray dog named Kopi by Besut District Council (MDB) officers has sparked widespread outrage in Malaysia.

On 6 October, during a stray culling operation in Jerteh, the dog, known for a viral video showing her playfully interacting with a kitten, was shot dead, prompting immediate backlash from animal rights groups and the public.

Public outrage and calls for accountability

The shooting of Kopi has drawn sharp criticism from various animal welfare organisations and legal experts.

An online petition has since been launched demanding accountability from the council, for it to reassess its strategy regarding stray animals.

“This was not urban management but an act of unwarranted brutality. Kopi did not deserve her fate.

“She deserved better measures for her and her street-bound companions,” said the petition on Change.org initiated by Cristabel Leo.

It has received over 2,500 signatures at the time of writing.

Lawyers for Animal Rights, along with other organisations, have since lodged a police report, demanding justice for Kopi and urging authorities to investigate the incident.

MDB president Mohd Sukeri Ibrahim defended the shooting, claiming it was in line with local standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laws.

Growing support for animal rights

Social media has played a significant role in amplifying the public’s anger.

Popular animal-lover platform My Forever Doggo (MFD) shared a post recounting the tragic event, further fuelling the outcry.

“A resident in the area who knew Kopi heard gunshots and rushed out to find her lying in a pool of blood, crying in pain.

Sadly, Kopi passed away,” the post read. This emotional story has spurred a wave of support for animal rights and prompted calls for more humane methods of controlling stray populations.

The public’s response to Kopi’s killing reflects a growing frustration with how animals are treated in Malaysia, and many are now calling for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.

Kopi’s death has become a rallying point for animal rights activists across Malaysia, highlighting the urgent need for reform in stray animal management.

The widespread outrage shows that the public demands more humane approaches and stricter enforcement of laws like the Animal Welfare Act 2015.