29 animal welfare groups submit memorandum against stray dog culling

A coalition of 29 animal welfare organisations gathered outside Parliament today to submit a memorandum urging the federal government to reform stray animal management and halt indiscriminate culling nationwide.

The Coalition of Animal Welfare NGOs and Concerned Members of the Public, represented by the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), submitted a document titled “Stop the Genocide, Brutality and Barbaric Killing of Stray Dogs in Malaysia”.

The coalition called on Putrajaya to assume direct federal responsibility for managing the country’s stray animal population instead of leaving the matter primarily to municipal councils.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, GHRF president S. Shashi Kumar urged lawmakers to intervene.

“As you all know, this is a national crisis. It ought to be solved in a proper, humane manner,” he said.

The memorandum also questioned the government’s response to previous appeals, asking: “How many more memorandums must be submitted before the Government finally listens and acts?”

The coalition said previous proposals, evidence of alleged cruelty and working papers had repeatedly been sidelined, with budget constraints cited as a concern.

Twelve-point demand for systemic reform

The memorandum outlined 12 demands, including the establishment of an independent National Animal Welfare Commission or a dedicated federal department, mandatory training for animal handlers, and a comprehensive review of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

To support nationwide initiatives, the groups proposed an annual federal allocation of RM10 million for humane stray animal management. The proposed funding would cover trap-neuter-vaccinate-and-return (TNVR) programmes, veterinary treatment and animal sanctuaries.

The coalition also called for the abolition of municipal pound release fees, which it said could prevent rescuers from retrieving impounded animals.

According to the groups, release charges ranging from RM1,000 to RM2,000 per dog could place the cost beyond the reach of some rescuers and shelters, leaving the animals at risk of euthanasia.

Recurring protests spotlight council enforcement

The gathering follows a series of demonstrations that began in late 2024 after a stray dog named Kopi was fatally shot in Besut, Terengganu. Public concern grew further following the death of another dog, Rocky, during a municipal council operation in Klang.

Activists also raised concerns over allegations that local councils had offered RM50 bounties to members of the public to capture stray dogs, warning that inadequate training and oversight could increase the risk of animal abuse and public safety incidents.

The coalition maintained that stray animal management was a government responsibility and called for a coordinated approach that addresses both public safety and animal welfare.

It advocated public education, responsible pet ownership and humane population control as alternatives to continued reliance on culling.