Activists seek legal redress over killing of 'Kopi'

Summary

• Activists file suit against Besut District Council and Terengganu government over the killing of stray dog Kopi.

• They argue the action is against the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

Four activists have filed civil suits against the Besut District Council (MDB) and the Terengganu state government over the killing of a stray dog known as Kopi.

Kartini Farah Abd Rahim, Mukunnan Sugumaran, Hong Hai San, and G Shashi Kumar filed the suit at the Terengganu High Court last week, according to court documents sighted by Malaysiakini.

The court will hear the case on Jan 15.

On Oct 13, the New Straits Times reported that the state Veterinary Services Department received multiple public inquiries about a viral video alleging that a local council representative had shot a dog called Kopi.

The department said the case was being investigated under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

Previously, MDB president Mohd Sukeri Ibrahim said Kopi’s shooting, which ignited a public uproar, followed standard operating procedure.

He refuted claims that council workers abandoned the dog after it was shot, claiming that some individuals prevented his team from retrieving the body.

On Oct 15, animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said they were livid and would seek legal redress in court.

By-laws argument ‘nonsensical’

When contacted today, Rajesh, representing the four plaintiffs, said his clients are seeking, among others, a declaration that MDB’s actions infringe Section 29 (e) and Section 30 (1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

“The law clearly prohibits the usage of any firearms to kill animals.

“The local council justified their actions, saying its by-laws allowed it. However, a parliamentary law overrides state enactments and by-laws.

“So, the local council’s argument is nonsensical,” he told Malaysiakini.

Practise humane approach

On arguments that killing a stray is justified in special circumstances, Rajesh countered that it should be done humanely.

“I have spoken to veterinarians who proposed the use of lethal injection, which is painless and far more humane,” he stressed.

Rajesh said his clients have instructed his team to seek justice for Kopi using all legal means necessary.

“Further, it is of absolute necessity that a final and binding legal High Court declaration be made to stop the murder of stray dogs via shooting,” he added.

Indiscriminate killing

On Nov 18, former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also pointed out that parliamentary laws supersede local council by-laws, in admonishing the indiscriminate killing of strays.

“What we’re seeing now is many local councils invoking their by-laws to kill or shoot stray animals.

“Since the Animal Welfare Act was passed, it restricts councils from taking such actions that harm animals,” he said in Parliament.

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