ANIMAL welfare activists and NGOs urged the government and local authorities to adopt humane solutions to control the stray animal population.
The group held a peaceful candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka last night in remembrance of "Kopi", a stray dog fatally shot by the Besut District Council in Terengganu last October.
Despite being brutally shot, no one has been charged in court for the murder of the stray.
According to reports in The New Straits Times, Selangor Furry Future Association (SFFA) president S. Shashi Kumar said the killing of stray animals was an ineffective method of population control despite decades of implementation.
He said many animal lovers and activists were already neutering stray animals at their own expense without any government assistance.
"However, with limited funds and resources, NGOs and animal activists can only do so much," he said, urging the government to review their strategy to curb the stray animal population in the country.
Shashi also called for increased government support, including funding for shelters instead of outsourcing animal control to municipal authorities who engage in mass culling operations.
A strong crowd of over 400 animal rights activists, including animal lovers, shelter owners, NGOs, and even a group of bikers, took part in the gathering to seek justice for Kopi.
Among the NGOs which participated in the vigil were the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association, Persatuan Sayangi Haiwan Selangor, Woo & Meow Animal Shelter Organisation, Persatuan Suara Haiwan Malaysia, and Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM).
Shelter owners and animal lovers were also among the 400 who attended the gathering at Dataran Merdeka.
Some carried placards, banners, and candles as they gathered peacefully from 6.30 pm until 8 pm. - January 12, 2025
