KUALA LUMPUR: Animal welfare groups want authorities to prosecute those responsible for allegedly capturing and shooting dogs before dumping their carcasses in a pit in Sitiawan, Perak.
Animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said those responsible were in breach of the Animal Welfare Act and should be charged with animal cruelty.
He said under the act, only the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) had the authority to put down a dog.
Rajesh said no local council could justify breaching the Animal Welfare Act.
"Their internal standard operating procedures are completely irrelevant. It is not binding.
"Local councils must act humanely after catching any stray dog and ensure the animals have sufficient food and water.
"The dogs should be handed over to DVS for it to decide on whether or not to put the dogs to sleep humanely," the Lawyers for Animal Rights founder said.
Besut District Council chairman Sukeri Ibrahim had said the move aligned with the standard operating procedures established by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Sukeri also said the council's actions aligned with Section 30 of the Animal Welfare Act, which permits the use of firearms under certain circumstances.
Rajesh said according to Section 30(1) of the act, one could not use firearms to kill dogs.
"It is a legal concept that a specific provision always overrides a general provision.
"Hence, although Section 30(2)(e) allows animals to be put down for purposes of population control, it cannot be done by way of shooting as this would contradict the express provision is Section 30(1).
"So, yes, animals can be put down for purposes of population control by DVS, but this cannot be done by shooting."
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the government should strengthen the Animal Welfare Act and beef up enforcement against animal cruelty.
He added that the amendments should also be referred to a parliamentary select committee, which could consult animal welfare non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.