By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: A coalition of animal rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a protest in front of Parliament today, calling on the federal government to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and implement humane stray animal control measures.
The rally, attended by over 100 people, saw Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president S. Shashi Kumar hand over a memorandum to Kampar MP Chong Zhemin, urging legislative reforms and stricter enforcement mechanisms to protect stray animals.
In a statement afterward, GHRF deputy president Peter John Jaban said the proposed amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 2015 involve introducing new standards, stricter enforcement mechanisms, and humane practices, particularly for stray dogs.
He also criticised authorities for failing to take action after GHRF submitted a memorandum to 10 MPs at a similar rally in November 2024.
“We have proposed reducing the stray animal population through the trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) method.
“Instead, the government has taken the easy way out by killing, shooting, and poisoning stray animals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shashi accused the Department of Veterinary Services of failing to uphold its duty to protect strays and demanded the establishment of an independent body to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
He also cited cases of excessive force in handling stray animals, particularly in Penang and Kuala Langat, Selangor.
In response, Chong assured protesters that he would raise the issue with Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and study the proposed amendments before speaking to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu about introducing a bill in Parliament.
Also present at the rally was animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who provided updates on the legal battle against the Besut District Council and the Terengganu government over the killing of a stray dog named Kopi.
He confirmed that the next hearing is scheduled for April 8 at the Kuala Terengganu High Court. – DayakDaily
