Animal Activists Seek Injunction to Halt Stray Dog Culling in Besut, Terengganu
Background
On October 6, 2022, a stray dog named Kopi was shot dead by the authorities in Besut, Terengganu, during a stray culling operation. The incident sparked outrage and widespread condemnation from animal lovers and activists.
Legal Action
In response to the killing of Kopi, four animal activists, Dr. Kartini Farah Abdul Rahim, S. Mukunnan, Hong Hai San, and S. Shashi Kumar, filed a lawsuit against the state government and Besut district council in the Kuala Terengganu High Court. The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the shooting of animals is prohibited by law, unless it falls within the exceptions listed in the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA).
Injunction Application
On January 6, the four activists applied for an injunction to prevent the Besut district council from shooting any more stray dogs pending the disposal of the lawsuit. Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said the injunction application was filed and served on the defendants.
Defendants’ Response
The two defendants, the state government and Besut district council, have filed applications to strike out the lawsuit. The court has fixed January 15 for case management on all three applications.
Plaintiffs’ Claims
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the shooting of animals is prohibited by law, unless it falls within the exceptions listed in Section 30(2) of the AWA. They are also seeking a declaration that Sections 9(1) and (2) of the Dog Licensing By-Laws (Besut District Council) 1990 infringe Sections 29(e) and 30(1) of the AWA.
Background on Kopi
In March 2023, a video of Kopi playing with a stray cat went viral on social media. On October 6, it was announced on Instagram account “My Forever Doggo” that Kopi had been shot dead by the authorities in Besut during a stray culling operation earlier that day.
Conclusion
The killing of Kopi has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and more humane treatment of stray dogs in Malaysia. The lawsuit and injunction application filed by the four animal activists are a step in the right direction towards ensuring that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is seeking to declare that the shooting of animals is prohibited by law, unless it falls within the exceptions listed in the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA).
Q: Who are the defendants in the lawsuit?
A: The defendants are the state government and Besut district council.
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit?
A: The court has fixed January 15 for case management on all three applications, including the injunction application, the strike-out application by the state government, and the strike-out application by the Besut district council.
Q: What is the next step in the lawsuit?
A: The court will hear the arguments and make a decision on the injunction application, strike-out applications, and the substantive issues in the case.