Poisoned bait kills dogs, pet cat at Penang Hill, probe launched

Summary

• Stray dogs and a pet cat at Penang Hill are suspected to have been killed by poisoned bait.

• Penang Hill Corporation has been tasked to investigate the incident and remove the poison.

A series of suspected poisonings that have killed stray dogs in the Penang Hill area has raised alarm bells.

Photos circulating on WhatsApp showed the remains of dogs found at a roundabout at the Penang Hill summit.

Another photo taken this morning, allegedly from the same area, showed a dead cat and mouse. The cat was wearing a collar.

Besides the danger to animals in the area, there are also concerns that poisoned bait may harm children and tourists who frequent the hill - also known as Bukit Bendera.

When contacted, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai said Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) has been tasked with immediately investigating the issue, removing the poisoned food, and stepping up monitoring in affected areas.

“Furthermore, PHC will officially report the matter to the police, the Veterinary Department, and the Wildlife and National Parks Department,” he told Malaysiakini.

“We do not tolerate any actions that compromise animal welfare,” added Wong, who is also the Paya Terubong state assemblyperson and state executive councillor for tourism.

The poisoning at Penang Hill is the latest of such incidents in the state.

Combined with past incidents at Island Glades and Tanjung Bungah, it is believed that close to 100 dogs have been killed.

However, no arrests have been made thus far.

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