Justice for 'Kopi' - Animal rights groups to send memo to Parliament
In an attempt to get justice for a stray dog called Kopi which was gunned down by the Besut District Council (MDB), animal rights groups are planning to submit a memorandum to Parliament next month.
“As the highest legislative body in Malaysia, Parliament holds a critical role in addressing pressing societal issues.
“Therefore, 12 animal rights NGOs have decided to present a memorandum to MPs during the second week of November...
In an attempt to get justice for a stray dog called Kopi which was gunned down by the Besut District Council (MDB), animal rights groups are planning to submit a memorandum to Parliament next month.
“As the highest legislative body in Malaysia, Parliament holds a critical role in addressing pressing societal issues.
“Therefore, 12 animal rights NGOs have decided to present a memorandum to MPs during the second week of November to get justice for Kopi,” Selangor Furry Future Association president S Shashi Kumar told Malaysiakini today.
On Oct 13, the New Straits Times reported the Terengganu Veterinary Services Department (DVS) as receiving multiple public inquiries about a viral video alleging that a local council representative had shot Kopi.
The department said the case was being investigated under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
Previously, the social media account My Forever Doggo, in a post on Instagram, claimed that residents saw a local council representative in Terengganu allegedly shooting the dog, affectionately called Kopi, during an operation on Oct 6.
Livid over the matter, about 100 people gathered outside the Sentul police headquarters on Oct 15 after a report was filed on the matter.
Three days later, nearly 300 people gathered outside the DVS headquarters in Putrajaya to deliver a memorandum, urging the agency to probe the matter.
“MDB had admitted it (the killing) and defended the action. Those involved must be charged. That is the minimum that should be done,” Shashi was reported as saying then.
Animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who was present at the gathering urged the authorities to charge the officers involved under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
Upset with DVS
Asked why they chose to deliver to Parliament, Shashi said his team was dissatisfied with the reply given by the officer who received the memorandum on Oct 18 in Putrajaya.
“The officer kept saying DVS will investigate the matter. When we pressed for a timeline, he gave us a non-committal reply, saying he cannot do so,” Shashi lamented.
In general, Shashi alleged that the cruel treatment of stray dogs by local councils has been a longstanding issue left unaddressed.
“And the lack of action by DVS raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772),” he noted.
Touching on the memorandum, Shashi said his team will outline key demands and proposals - foremost calling for an immediate end to killings and inhumane treatment of dogs in Malaysia.
“We are also advocating for a comprehensive review of the Animal Welfare Act, as it has become outdated and requires significant improvement to better protect vulnerable animals,” he added.
Apart from MPs, Shashi said animal rights groups would also submit copies of the document to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, where the DVS is parked.
“We will also send copies to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Law and Institutional Reforms Department under the Prime Minister’s Department.
“We are embarking on this multi-ministry approach to ensure that our concerns reach all levels of governance and receive the attention it deserve,” Shashi mentioned.
