KUALA LUMPUR: All forms of killing of strays, including shooting and euthanising, should be stopped, said a former Manjung councillor.
This comes after the former official, Khairil Azhar Khairuddin, shed light on the alleged practice of capturing and shooting dogs, then leaving their carcasses in a pit by local authorities in Sitiawan, Perak.
He said he hoped the government would amend laws and by-laws to prevent all forms of animal killings.
"A solution could involve organising a spaying programme, with clinics offering affordable rates for spaying and releasing.
"The dogs are not dangerous. They are scared and only seek food," he said, adding that the animals should not be provoked.
He called for local authorities to work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and animal rescuers to find a humane solution to managing stray dogs, including launching adoption drives.
On Friday, the New Straits Times reported that dozens of dog carcasses, along with live puppies, were left in a pit after allegedly being captured and shot by local council officers in Sitiawan.
Shocking videos taken by Khairil's animal activist acquaintance showed some of the dogs — some still wearing collars — discarded in a roughly 1.2m-deep hole at a rubbish disposal site.
Some of the puppies could be heard crying, unable to escape as they were left to die among both fresh and decaying carcasses.
NST has tried to obtain comments from Manjung Municipal Council president Muhammad Faizal Shah Safian Suri since Friday, but he has yet to respond.
Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said capturing and killing stray animals did not solve the issue of overpopulation.
"That's why the authorities must partner with NGOs to implement Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programmes.
"Imagine if every stray animal was neutered or spayed. In five years, we would see a gradual decline in their population."
He said council-run animal pounds must be converted into no-kill facilities focusing on rehabilitation, adoption and humane treatment.
"These facilities should initially operate as TNR centres to humanely manage animal populations before eventually expanding to include rehabilitation and adoption services."
Last month, public outrage erupted after a stray dog named Kopi was shot by local council authorities in Terengganu, just two days after World Animal Day.