A NEW animal pound built to ease overcrowding at Johor Baru City Council’s (MBJB) existing shelter is expected to begin operations on Jan 1 next year.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the RM6mil facility, located along Jalan Tahana in Larkin, had been completed and was currently being fitted with equipment.
Speaking after the city council’s full board meeting at Menara MBJB, he said the new pound would accommodate not only stray dogs and cats, but also larger animals such as cows and horses, enabling the council to better manage animal-related complaints.
Mohd Haffiz said the facility would address capacity issues at the existing MBJB shelter, which had come under public scrutiny in recent months following concerns over overcrowding and the treatment of strays.
Separately, he said MBJB was still investigating an incident where a stray dog was allegedly run over during an animal control operation in Puteri Wangsa.
The stray, known as “Max” by residents who had cared for and fed it for several years, was allegedly run over during the May 15 operation.
A video of the incident, which showed the dog being struck before collapsing on the road, went viral on social media and sparked public outrage, with animal lovers and non-governmental organisations calling for a thorough investigation.
Mohd Haffiz said a police report had been lodged and the matter was being investigated jointly by the police and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS).
“Pending the outcome of the investigations, the contractor involved has voluntarily ceased its operations.
“The contractor has also suspended the worker believed to have been involved in the incident.”
He added that MBJB took the incident seriously and would not compromise on any breach of standard operating procedures (SOP).
“All stray animal control operations carried out by MBJB-appointed contractors must strictly adhere to the SOP established by the Housing and Local Government Ministry,” he said.
Mohd Haffiz added that any individual found to have acted arbitrarily or caused unnecessary suffering to animals would not be protected and could face disciplinary action, including termination of services and the blacklisting of the contractor.
He also reminded pet owners of their responsibilities under MBJB’s Dog Licensing By-Laws 1995, urging them not to allow their pets to roam freely as they could endanger public safety and contribute to the stray population.
The mayor said MBJB would continue reviewing and strengthening its operational procedures to ensure such incidents did not recur.
Earlier, caretaker Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the matter had been referred to DVS for investigation under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
