KUALA LUMPUR: Netizens are outraged over claims that a local council in Terengganu had allegedly shot dead a stray dog that went viral after a video of her playing with a stray kitten.
Social media account My Forever Doggo, in a post on Instagram, claimed that resident saw a local council representative in Terengganu allegedly shooting the dog, affectionately called Kopi during an operation on Oct 6.
"We are heartbroken to share that last Sunday (Oct 6),just two days after World Animal Day, this sweet homeless doggo named Kopi, who melted so many of our hearts with her gentleness, was shot by the local council in Terengganu.
"A resident in the area (the witness) who knows Kopi heard loud gunshots. He rushed out of his home to find Kopi lying on her side, covered in blood and crying in pain. Sadly, Kopi passed away," read the post.
My Forever Doggo added that according to the witness, Kopi was known to be the 'big sister' for all the cats and puppies in the area.
"She was known for her gentle nature and was completely harmless to anyone.
"This heartbreaking tragedy, especially since it isn't the first time such an incident has happened, reminds us how important it is to keep speaking up for these homeless animals.
"There are more humane ways of treating them. Killing these homeless doggos does not change the situation, helping them does," it said.
An online petition has since been launched demanding accountability from the council, for it to reassess its strategy regarding stray animals.
"This was not urban management but an act of unwarranted brutality. Kopi did not deserve her fate.
"She deserved better measures for her and her street-bound companions," said the petition on Change.org initiated by Cristabel Leo.
The New Straits Times has reached out to Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar for comments on the matter.