MANJUNG: The Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) has denied allegations made in a viral video claiming that the disposal of stray dogs in the district is handled in a cruel manner.
MPM's Strategic Communications and Public Relations Department, in a statement today, said the viral video has led to negative public perceptions of MPM and that the dog carcasses shown did not represent the actual location of MPM's stray dog transit centre.
"MPM emphasises that all allegations and accusations circulating are untrue and contrary to the procedures MPM follows.
"MPM values animal welfare and ensures that all actions in managing stray animals adhere to the law and ethical standards.
"Therefore, MPM needs to clarify and address the confusion and misunderstandings caused by the video," the statement said.
On Friday, a former Manjung council member revealed that dozens of dog carcasses, along with live puppies, were left in a pit after allegedly being captured and shot by local authority officers in Sitiawan.
Khairil Azhar Khairuddin uploaded several videos which showed shocking images of the dogs, some still wearing collars, left trapped in a roughly four-foot-deep hole at a garbage disposal site.
The statement said the council received public complaints about dog carcasses that needed to be removed after the animals were hit by vehicles.
"In such cases, dead dogs are buried at the transit centre as part of established animal management procedures.
"MPM clarifies that no euthanasia occurs at the transit centre and hopes to prevent any misunderstanding.
"The dog carcasses are collected and disposed of due to accidents or illnesses within the MPM area.
"The council said all procedures for capturing and handling stray dogs are conducted in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlined in the 2014 Urban Wellbeing, Housing, and Local Government Ministry's Circular No. 5; and the Manjung District Dog Licensing By-laws 1983.
Upon inspection and investigation, the location shown in the video could not be verified, and it differs significantly from the current transit centre conditions, it said.
"MPM denies any shooting of stray dogs in the Segari Forest; instead, dogs are released at the Teluk Mengkudu Landfill Site in Segari.
"MPM assures that all animal disposal procedures are conducted responsibly, ethically, and legally," the statement added.
Following the incident, MPM has lodged a police report regarding the video.
For the record, six residential areas and 11 dog owners were investigated for dog bite incidents this year.
Additionally, stray dog bite cases from March to May this year involved 16 incidents in Seri Manjung, Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar, Pantai Remis, and Lumut.
To address this issue, MPM said it has conducted various operations to manage and monitor the risk of infectious disease spread and to ensure community safety, including for children.
The council recorded 51 dog bite cases requiring action.
"All actions are based on established methods.
"MPM acknowledges the increasing stray dog population in the district, raising concerns in the local community.
"MPM reiterates that actions taken are based on the established SOPs."
MPM has created a Stray Animal Management Unit to enforce the 2013 Stray and Livestock Animal By-laws, addressing issues and complaints about stray animals, particularly dogs and livestock like cows, goats, chicken, as well as pets like cats, it said.
"MPM has also upgraded the animal transit centre in Sungai Wangi, Sitiawan, with enclosures for captured animals such as dogs, cattle, and other ruminants," it said, adding that the public was advised to verify video content before sharing it.