End 'animal genocide': 29 groups demand govt budget RM10m for humane stray management

A coalition backed by 29 organisations has urged the government to allocate RM10 million annually for humane stray-animal management and end the “indiscriminate killing” of stray dogs by local councils.

The proposed allocation would fund sterilisation, vaccination, rescue, veterinary care, adoption and sanctuaries, according to a memorandum signed by Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president S Shashi Kumar.

Shashi led some 30 supporters outside Parliament this afternoon, where Deputy Works Minister Ahmad Maslan received the memorandum.

“This is purely genocide in Malaysia. Killings of stray dogs or even stray cats - this is genocide. We want this to stop,” he said.

“The way I look at it, Madani government, you have failed. Fail to take care of your own animals in your own country.

“Any government that does not know how to take care of its animals is a failed government. They will never take care of their people,” Shashi claimed.

The memorandum’s 12 demands include forming a national animal welfare commission or dedicated federal department, reforming the Animal Welfare Act 2015, and removing pound release fees for stray dogs.

The groups also sought representation for NGOs and independent experts in policymaking, parliamentary oversight and scrutiny of public spending.

Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, told reporters: “I promise to take this memorandum to the relevant parties.”

Make a difference

Lawyers for Animal Rights founder Rajesh Nagarajan lamented that people had to take to the streets to demand humane treatment for animals.

“We are in a situation where animals are being treated in a harsh, murderous manner, so people have to come down and seek justice for them.

“We hope that with the memorandum that was given today, Parliament will take this into cognisance, and will actually make a difference to the lives of the stray animals, especially cats and dogs,” he said.

The groups said advocates had repeatedly submitted proposals, evidence of alleged cruelty and a budget working paper since the Besut District Council shot dead a stray dog named Kopi on Oct 6, 2024.

Four activists, including Shashi, sued the council and the Terengganu government, but the Kuala Terengganu High Court dismissed their suit on Feb 26 this year.

According to the council’s lawyer Adam Luqman Amdan, the court found that the activists lacked legal standing and that the law permitted shooting animals for population control.

The groups today also questioned RM50-per-dog incentives for members of the public to catch strays, citing schemes announced in Negeri Sembilan and reportedly offered elsewhere.

The groups demanded clarity on related authorisation, rules and accountability, citing another high public-interest case involving the death of a dog named Rocky during a Klang Royal City Council operation in Port Klang on July 29.

While acknowledging owners’ responsibility to prevent their dogs from roaming, the groups questioned the incidents leading to Rocky's killing.

The council previously disputed allegations of mistreatment during the operation, saying Rocky’s owner, S Roghini Devi, intervened and a struggle prevented personnel from removing the capture equipment.

On Aug 20, Roghini (above, right) and council volunteer Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom pleaded not guilty to separate animal cruelty charges.

Shah Idham was accused of strangling Rocky with a looped rope, while Roghini was accused of pulling the dog while the rope was around its neck, causing unnecessary suffering.

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