NGO calls for humane options after N Sembilan approves dog culling

Summary

• Furrykids Safehaven urges the Negeri Sembilan government to halt its planned culling of stray dogs in Malay-majority areas, calling for humane alternatives.

• The group advocates for trap-neuter-release programmes, public education, and collaboration with NGOs and vets as long-term solutions.

• The state government defended the move, citing safety concerns, with plans to cull only a portion of dogs deemed problematic.

An animal welfare group has urged the Negeri Sembilan government to stop its plans to cull stray dogs in Malay-majority areas of the state.

Furrykids Safehaven, which also runs an animal shelter, urged the government to engage with NGOs and veterinary professionals instead to develop a more humane and effective way to manage the stray population.

It also urged the state to support existing trap-neuter-release (TNR) programmes and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, sterilisation, and community cooperation.

The group argued that TNR, adoption programmes, and public education are proven strategies that are far more effective in the long term.

“Stray animals are not a problem to be eradicated - they are a result of human negligence and deserve responsible, compassionate solutions.

“Our shelter has invested countless resources and years of dedicated work in reducing stray populations through TNR efforts and community education.

“The indiscriminate killing of these animals not only undermines all these efforts but also sends a dangerous message that cruelty is an acceptable form of control,” said the group’s president Jeskiran Kaur, in a statement today.

‘Getting out of hand’

Earlier, Sinar Harian reported that all Negeri Sembilan assemblypersons unanimously agreed to conduct mass culling of stray dogs in Malay-majority areas to address concerns about disturbances and safety.

The report quoted Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun saying the large number of stray dogs has become a recurring issue raised in every state assembly sitting, as though the government is not addressing such concerns.

“We will only focus on Muslim-majority areas so it won’t disturb the daily activities of those going to mosques and to schools. When the dogs are not given food, they would disturb the harmony of the local community and become a problem for us.

“The neutering of stray dogs shall continue, but we see that the problem of stray dogs in Malay areas is getting out of hand.

“In each assembly sitting, the same issue is being raised as though the government is not taking action. So, I need the majority support of the assembly to resolve this issue,” Aminuddin told the state assembly today.

He reportedly added that the culling will focus on Malay-majority areas first, before being expanded to other areas.

“Local authorities can already take charge, and I have been informed that there will be NGOs who oppose. I hope they understand that there have been accidents caused by stray dogs that involve the lives and safety of the public.

“So, I hope they understand the state government is not planning to cull all of them, but only a portion of stray dogs that are threatening the locals,” the menteri besar said.

The report stated the matter was agreed unanimously, with the state executive council being tasked to finalise details of the plan’s implementation.

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