SEREMBAN: The Ibnu Khaldun mosque committee in Taman Lavender Heights today has denied involvement in the deaths of several dogs, believed to have been poisoned, in the housing estate recently.
Its chairman Mohd Asna Amin said he did not poison the dogs as insinuated in several WhatsApp postings that went viral recently.
He said it could be the work of some angry residents who could not stand the presence of stray dogs in the area.
"I firmly state that this does not directly affect the mosque and has nothing to do with me.
"I only knew about the incident of the dead dogs after it went viral recently... so, I am leaving it to the police to conduct the investigation,” he said.
Mohd Asna said although cases of stray dogs entering the mosque’s compound has been an issue for some time, the mosque committee had only taken action by complaining to the local authorities and the Veterinary Department.
"It has been a problem since last year with the dogs entering the mosque's compound, doing its business and drinking at the ablution area."
"There were also cases of the stray dogs chasing after tahfiz students and children. Many complaints have been made and we are still waiting for the authorities to take action." he said.
“Whenever we call the local council, they will refer us to the Veterinary Department or the Wildlife Department.
“And when we contact the departments, they will refer us back to the council.” he added.
Police have started investigation after a dog owner claimed that his pet dog was found dead in a back lane of Taman Lavendar Heights on Jan 5.
The complainant said that he also saw several dead dogs in the neighbourhood and suspected that irresponsible individuals had poisoned the animals.
Following this, several screen captures of WhatsApp posts were spread on social media.
Meanwhile, Paroi state assemblyman Mohamad Taufek Abd Ghani said the state government viewed the matter seriously and will be working on a solution this week.
He urged the public not to hype up or turn the incident into a racial or religious issue.
"We must let police complete their investigation and I also understand there are difficulties in dealing with wild dogs." he said.