PENANG Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Connie Tan has warned the person or persons responsible for killing stray dogs on the island to stop the inhumane act immediately.
Tan, who is the MBPP’s Stray and Abandoned Dog Sub-committee chairman, said in the span of one month (since March), some 30 strays were found dead in the Lintang Delima neighbourhood.
“Following the complaints received from the residents, we decided to hold a meeting with the Veterinary Services Department (JPV).
“For issues concerning animal cruelty, the council is unable to investigate as it is under the jurisdiction of JPV,” Tan told the Buletin Mutiara team.
Tan said last week, she and her fellow councillors as well as officers from the council visited the Lintang Delima neighbourhood to identify the locations to instal CCTVs.
“Although it is not under our jurisdiction, MBPP will do its best to work together with the JPV to see what we can do regarding this matter.
“At least we have CCTVs in the area and if we see anything suspicious, we can work with the police.
“After our visit last week, the next day another dog carcass at Lintang Delima was found.
“The JPV has taken it for autopsy.
“So, we are waiting for the result to see the cause of their death and to see whether it is due to poisoning,” Tan said while adding that the residents would also help to bury the dogs which are found dead.
Tan added that most of the dogs in the neighbourhood were part of MBPP’s trap, neuter and release (TNR) programme.
“These dogs were mostly part of the TNR programme. And from 30 to 40 dogs, now only four to five dogs are left.
“We condemn this inhumane behaviour, which is a violation of the law under Malaysia’s Animal Welfare Act 2015, namely Section 29 (animal cruelty), Section 30 (killing of animals), and Section 31 (administration of poisons).
“Anyone found guilty (of an offence under the Act) can be fined not less than RM20,000, with the maximum fine being RM100,000, or face a maximum of three years’ jail, or both,” Tan said.
Apart from that, Tan also said that the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is offering RM5,000 as a reward to anyone who can assist in giving information to resolve the case.
The public can contact the MBPP at 04-2637 000 or Whatsapp at 016-200 4082.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En