16-07-2025
Town council defends culling of strays after accusation it flouted rules
The Sungai Petani Municipal Council said three dogs were put to sleep because they were unlicensed and were considered strays. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : The Sungai Petani Municipal Council has confirmed that three stray dogs were put down within 24 hours of capture, but said it had adhered to by-laws, contrary to a claim that the council had flouted the rules.
Hazwani Harif, a volunteer dog feeder, said she had found out that the strays were picked up by council workers near the Denai Alam civil servants' housing project in Sungai Petani on Wednesday morning.
She said she immediately raised funds to pay the council fees required to retrieve the dogs. However, when she and a fellow animal rescuer arrived at the council pound at about 1:30pm the next day, they discovered that the dogs had been put to sleep.
Hazwani, 36, said the council's by-laws on stray animals stipulate that captured strays are to be kept for seven days before any further action is taken.
'If they followed this, those dogs would still be alive,' Hazwani told FMT.
She said she had emailed the council on Friday, seeking clarification on their procedures, and the status of the dogs, but has yet to receive a reply.
Hazwani, who had been caring for the stray dogs since her time working with a housing developer in the area, said she had always intended to relocate the animals responsibly before moving out next year.
She said the dogs were not aggressive and she has known them for years. 'They just needed a chance. We're not asking the council to take responsibility for them, only to give us time to find a solution.'
Hazwani said culling should not be the default response. 'It feels like it's always kill first, ask questions later. Where's the compassion?'
When contacted, the legal department of the municipal council said they were permitted to put the dogs to sleep under municipal by-laws on dog licensing.
The council said the action was taken following a complaint lodged on June 23. Upon inspection, the dogs were found to be unlicensed and without metal tags, which under the 1995 by-law qualifies them to be treated as strays.
'The municipal council has the authority to dispose of any dog found in a public place without a metal tag at any time,' the council said, adding that the euthanising of dogs was carried out by officers of the Kuala Muda veterinary office, in line with standard procedures.
