KUCHING: Animal welfare organisations (NGOs) in Sarawak and Sabah have condemned the recent killing of a dog named Kopi, reportedly by a local council in Terengganu.
Humane Animal Society Sarawak (HASS), Geng Pusak Jalanan Sarawak (GPJS), Save Our Strays Kuching (SOS), Street Animal Rescuers Association Bintulu (Sara), Zero Strays Miri, Sibu Animal Rescue Society, and Independent Aid for Protection and Welfare for Animals Sabah (IAPWA Sabah), said the recent shooting of Kopi is not only a violation of humane principles but also a flagrant affront to the moral and religious values of a civilised society.
“Across many religious traditions, the treatment of animals is a reflection of our society’s character. Whether Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, or other faiths, a benchmark of kindness toward animals is the standard moral duty,” the NGOs said in a joint statement.
They said all faiths hold similar teachings, advocating the protection and care of animals as part of the moral responsibility of humanity.
“The act of taking the life of an innocent, vulnerable homeless dog is not only a breach of ethical conduct but also a blatant rejection of the compassionate values taught by all religions.
“By killing ‘Kopi’ or any homeless dog for that matter, the local councils have turned their backs on these sacred teachings. They have instead chosen violence over compassion and continue to perpetuate a cycle of violence towards animals.
“It is ironic and perverse that local councils, which are supposed to safeguard both human and animal welfare, often become the very institutions that erode public trust,” said the NGOs.
They have also demanded a full and action to rectify such tragedy in order to prevent such future occurrences.
“This includes an investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting, with those responsible held accountable.
“We also call for an immediate moratorium on lethal methods of stray population control to be replaced by humane approaches consistent with ethical principles,” said the NGOs.
They also called for urgent reform of the all local councils animal management strategies, prioritising trapping, neutering, and rehabilitation, in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.
“A clear mandate be given to specialised animal welfare bodies like the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Enforcement of animal welfare should be removed from local councils due to their obvious lack of expertise and knowledge where animal welfare is just one of many competing responsibilities,” said the NGOs.
They reminded the public, religious bodies, community leaders, lawmakers, and government officials of their collective ethical responsibility to demand an immediate halt of such ‘barbaric practices’.
“Please come forward in solidarity to stop these brazen cold-blooded killings and put those accountable to task,” said the NGOs.
They also called upon all to contact @lawyersforanimalrightsmalaysia with any details or videos to help more to bear witness to the shooting of Kopi.
Besut District Council reportedly shot dead Kopi, a stray dog that went viral on social media for a video of her playing with a fellow stray kitten.
Malay Mail reported that animal-lover social media account, My Forever Doggo (MFD), cited a local who saw members of the council allegedly shooting the dog during a stray culling operation on Oct 6.
