Mahkamah arah Majlis Perbandaran Kluang patuhi SOP urus anjing liar

Mahkamah Rayuan has upheld an interim order barring Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) from destroying or euthanizing stray dogs and other animals in contravention of standard operating procedures (SOP) set in 2014. The three-judge panel comprising Judge Alwi Abdul Wahab, Judge Shahnaz Sulaiman, and Alice Loke, approved the interim order requested by Kluang Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) without specifying any costs.

The order prohibits MPK from destroying stray dogs or other animals through any method contradicting the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG) SOP for stray animal capture and removal. KAWS' lawyer Gavin Jayapal informed the court that the appeal against the denial of a request for evidentiary hearing had been scheduled for November 17.

He stated that the interim order is necessary to ensure MPK adheres to the procedure established while carrying out its solemn duty. The society filed its application for review in April last year, seeking a declaration that MPK violated SOP in managing stray dogs. In February last year, MPK confined several dogs in a pen without food or water, and in another incident on February 7, the council killed a stray dog and buried it alive, violating established procedures.

KAWS demanded a declaration that such acts constitute inhumane treatment and lack humanity, in addition to a mandatory order compelling MPK to strictly follow SOP in future stray animal handling operations. The society also sought compensation, costs, and other relief deemed just by the court. According to the society, they had reported the cruelty case to the police, alleging the possession of photographs and videos showing dogs and puppies struggling, while smaller animals were shoved into the ground to be buried alive.

The matter remains under investigation and has not been proven as factual evidence in the interim order proceedings. State Senior Counsel Suhana Sabil appeared for KAWS' lawyer Parveena Kaur, while Noor Liana Hashim and Siti Nur Faizah Khairuddin represented MPK.