KUALA LUMPUR – The Veterinary Services Department has confirmed that the Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MPKL) did not adhere to animal welfare regulations when caring for stray dogs at its shelter.
The department said checks at a dog pound operated by MPKL on January 9 revealed that 94 dogs were placed in seven rooms, approximately 30sq ft each.
“The inspection found that the number of dogs placed in each room did not meet animal welfare requirements.
“An improvement notice under Section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act 2020 (Act 772) was subsequently issued to MPKL,” it said in a statement today.
It noted that follow-up checks on January 11 found that MPKL had handed over all the dogs to a non-governmental organisation that had requested to adopt the strays.
MPKL had earlier stated that it is reviewing the management of a dog compound under its jurisdiction following criticism over unhygienic conditions.
It also promised that a review will be carried out by the Solid Waste Management And Environmental Health Department’s vector unit.
The local government’s apparent lack of care for the abandoned dogs came to light after videos and images of their dismal living conditions recently made the rounds on social media. – The Vibes, January 13, 2023
