Latest news with #animalactivists
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
T'ganu govt, Besut district council lose bid to strike out Kopi lawsuit
A video of Kopi playing with a stray cat went viral on social media in March last year. PETALING JAYA : The Kuala Terengganu High Court today dismissed an application by the Terengganu government and Besut district council to strike out a lawsuit brought against them by four animal activists over the allegedly unlawful killing of a stray dog. Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said the court dismissed the application with costs, and that the matter would be heard on its merits, with Aug 13 set for the court's decision on the lawsuit. 'This is a huge win for animal rights in Malaysia generally and a positive first step towards obtaining justice for Kopi, who was murdered in cold blood,' he told FMT. Dr Kartini Farah Abdul Rahim, S Mukunnan, Hong Hai San, and S Shashi Kumar are suing the state government and district council over the allegedly unlawful killing of Kopi, a stray dog, in October. They contend that the killing of Kopi by a council enforcement officer violated Sections 29(e) and 30(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (AWA). They want 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, including that the killing is authorised by a veterinary authority, is necessary to prevent an imminent danger to human life, or is carried out to control the spread of disease. The plaintiffs 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. In March last year, a video of Kopi playing with a stray cat went viral on social media. On Oct 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.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Malay Mail
As Kuching fights rabies, mayor reminds advocates ‘I totally get your love for animals, but human lives are equally precious'
Kuching mayor tells animals lovers to 'love and protect' them, but follow law on stray control KUCHING, May 25 — Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has appealed to animal lovers, both individuals and organisations, to comply with existing legal provisions when addressing issues related to stray dogs. He emphasised that animal lovers should not interfere with enforcement officers carrying out their duties. 'Do abide by our laws and do not get in the way of our enforcement. This is to help bring down the risk of rabies infections so as to ensure the safety of all,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee shared a recent incident where Kuching South City Council (MBKS) enforcement officers responded to a public complaint about a stray dog in a residential area. However, when the MBKS team arrived at the site and prepared to take the necessary action, a group of individuals intervened, preventing enforcement officers from carrying out their duties. '(As a result,) our enforcement team had little choice but to leave without taking any action,' he said. Wee reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership, reminding pet owners to keep their dogs within their resident compounds and not allow them road freely. 'If you stand to protect and love animals, you of all people should comply with the laws. If you intend to take good care of animals, you should find them a proper place rather than allowing them to roam freely, which may cause anxiety to the community,' he said. Wee said he could understand the need to protect stray animals but emphasised the city council's obligation to safeguard the public from potential risks. Wee admitted to facing a dilemma – if enforcement officers did not take action, complainants would fear for their safety, but when measures were enforced, certain individuals would step forward to obstruct the process. 'I have nothing against animal protection. What I do believe is that these animals should be properly kept at home or a designated place.' He further emphasised that the authorities act with empathy when addressing rabies-related issues, noting that organising mass anti-rabies vaccination campaigns is one such initiative aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly pet owners. Wee regretted that rabies cases persist despite continuous efforts to contain the deadly disease. 'I totally get your love for animals. We all love animals. However, human lives are equally precious.' Over the past week, Wee noted that two rabies cases had been reported near SJK(C) Batu Kawa and a retail outlet in Mile 10, both involving stray dogs. He urged the community to remain vigilant with the Gawai festive season approaching. 'Be more alert when you're hanging out and pay attention to your environment. Public safety and welfare are our utmost concern,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops receive reports on alleged strangling of cat in Penang
Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the first report was lodged by a woman, who claimed she saw a food trader strangle a cat on Thursday. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : Police have confirmed receiving two reports on the alleged abuse of a cat at the Pasar Lebuh Cecil food court, which has been shared widely on social media since yesterday. Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the first report was lodged by a woman in her 20s at 4.05pm on Thursday, claiming that she saw a food trader strangle a cat at 8am that day. 'A 55-year-old food trader there also lodged a police report yesterday denying the allegation against him,' Bernama reported him as saying today. He said following a preliminary investigation, the case has been referred to the Penang Island City Council for further action. The incident has received widespread attention online, with many members of the public and animal activists calling for an investigation.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Turkey's top court upholds controversial law on culling of stray dogs
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's top court on Wednesday rejected a request to annul a contentious law designed to remove millions of stray dogs from the streets, which critics said could lead to mass killings of the animals. The main opposition party had sought the overturn of the legislation that was enacted last year, arguing that it violated animal rights and the right to life. The Constitutional Court however, has ruled that the provisions are legally valid and for it to continue to be implemented. Dozens of animal rights activists had gathered near the Constitutional Court to press the court to repeal the law, holding up posters reading 'cancel the blood-ridden law' and shouting anti-government slogans. The government has estimated that some four million stray dogs roam Turkey's cities and countryside. While many of the dogs are harmless, the government moved to tighten legislation on stray animals, following incidents of dog attacks, including cases involving children. The law requires municipalities to round up stray dogs and relocate them into shelters where they would be vaccinated, neutered and spayed before making them available for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or pose a health risk to humans would be euthanized. Animal-lovers had strongly opposed the law, fearing it would lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters. They raised concerns about how financially-strained municipalities would secure funding to construct the additional shelters. They fear that, instead of allocating resources to care for the stray dogs, some municipalities may resort to euthanizing them under the pretext of illness. Many animal rights advocates have also claimed that many street animals were indiscriminately killed after the passage of the law. The court ruling is likely to increase pressure on municipalities to enforce the law.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Turkey's top court upholds controversial law on culling of stray dogs
Turkey's top court on Wednesday rejected a request to annul a contentious law designed to remove millions of stray dogs from the streets, which critics said could lead to mass killings of the animals. The main opposition party had sought the overturn of the legislation that was enacted last year, arguing that it violated animal rights and the right to life. The Constitutional Court however, has ruled that the provisions are legally valid and for it to continue to be implemented. Dozens of animal rights activists had gathered near the Constitutional Court to press the court to repeal the law, holding up posters reading 'cancel the blood-ridden law' and shouting anti-government slogans. The government has estimated that some 4 million stray dogs roam Turkey's cities and countryside. While many of the dogs are harmless, the government moved to tighten legislation on stray animals, following incidents of dog attacks, including cases involving children. The law requires municipalities to round up stray dogs and relocate them into shelters where they would be vaccinated, neutered and spayed before making them available for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or pose a health risk to humans would be euthanized. Animal-lovers had strongly opposed the law, fearing it would lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters. They raised concerns about how financially-strained municipalities would secure funding to construct the additional shelters. They fear that, instead of allocating resources to care for the stray dogs, some municipalities may resort to euthanizing them under the pretext of illness. Many animal rights advocates have also claimed that many street animals were indiscriminately killed after the passage of the law. The court ruling is likely to increase pressure on municipalities to enforce the law.
