Councils that shoot dogs can be fined up to RM100,000

KUALA LUMPUR: Local councils will be prohibited from shooting stray dogs and can be fined for the offence under the Animal Welfare Bill 2015.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) gave his assurance that dogs will be listed as animals that cannot be shot by local authorities.

“If the local authorities continue shooting dogs, they can be punished and fined up to RM100,000 under this Bill,” he said in replying to points raised in the debate for the Bill in the Dewan on Wednesday.

Ismail Sabri however said there would be some exceptions, such as if the dogs carried diseases.

He said provisions in the law needed to be kept to allow local councils to shoot crows and kill rats which could be vectors for diseases.

“But I agree that shooting stray dogs to control their population should not be allowed,” he said. 

Under the Bill, anyone who beats, kicks, tortures, and neglects or abandons any animal can be charged for animal cruelty.

If convicted, abusers can face a fine between RM20,000 and RM100,000 and a jail sentence of not more than three years.