A series of serious stray dog attacks involving young children and a teenager in Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri has prompted Johor authorities to step up population control measures.
The string of incidents include a September attack where a two-year-old girl was mauled by a pack of dogs in Batu Pahat, and separate incidents in Lima Kedai, Iskandar Puteri, in October involving a seven-year-old boy and a teenager.
In response, the state government and Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) are strengthening coordination between local authorities and relevant agencies while expanding sterilisation programmes and improving animal care facilities.
State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state was concerned about complaints of stray animals disrupting residential areas and public spaces.
He said every complaint must be given proper attention and swift action to ensure residents could go about their daily activities safely and comfortably.
“Public safety must always be protected, but at the same time, we must give due attention to animal welfare,” he told StarMetro.
Mohd Jafni recently chaired a joint coordination meeting on stray animal operations at MBJB with state agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Md Israk Abdullah.
He stressed that all operations must be conducted professionally and humanely, with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Mohd Jafni, who is also Bukit Permai assemblyman, said enforcement personnel and contractors engaged in catching strays must be properly trained and equipped to protect the public, themselves and the animals.
“Every operation must be carried out in a responsible manner.
“Local authorities in Johor must strengthen coordination with district offices and relevant agencies, particularly when dealing with stray animal problems in village areas,” he added.
He said standardising SOPs, consolidating data and exploring technology were key to boosting operational efficiency.
Stray animal management must go beyond catching animals, with attention given to suitable transit centres, veterinary care, sterilisation programmes and adoption initiatives, Mohd Jafni emphasised.
“An organised and continuous approach is necessary to control animal populations while ensuring animals under our care receive proper treatment.”
Mohd Jafni also visited the new Johor Baru Stray Animal Sanctuary (JBSAS) to assess operations and understand challenges faced by those managing the facility.
He added that discussions in meeting rooms must be complemented by visits to the ground to provide a clear picture of actual operational needs.
He called for closer cooperation between local authorities, veterinary departments, non-
governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public to ensure stray animal management efforts were more effective.
Mohd Jafni added that the management of strays must also address public health concerns and residents’ safety, particularly those living in areas where complaints involving aggressive animals had been reported.
However, he stressed that efforts to address the problem must be balanced with proper animal care at shelters, including ensuring clean and safe surroundings.
He urged pet owners to refrain from abandoning their pets, as irresponsible ownership could create community problems and compromise animal welfare.
Mohd Jafni said the state remained committed to creating a safe and harmonious environment under the Maju Johor agenda.
Multi-agency effort
Meanwhile, Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said MBJB had intensified its efforts to manage stray animal populations, particularly cats and dogs, through a more comprehensive and integrated approach.
He said the city council was not relying solely on enforcement operations, but also working with NGOs, veterinary clinics and volunteers to implement humane population control measures.
Among the initiatives was a cat sterilisation programme organised by MBJB in collaboration with Wira Kasseh JB and participating veterinary clinics, which successfully neutered 283 felines.
The programme, which received support from 35 volunteers and 31 veterinary clinic personnel, aimed to control the growing cat population by providing the public access to affordable sterilisation services.
Mohd Haffiz said the initiative was part of MBJB’s ongoing efforts to conduct large-scale cat sterilisation programmes in collaboration with NGOs and veterinary clinics over the years.
He said cooperation between the various parties was essential to ensure animal population control could be carried out systematically.
Late last month, MBJB organised a stray dog sterilisation programme in collaboration with Social Hero Foundation, where about 200 stray dogs underwent procedures before being handed over to private NGOs for care and shelter management.
Mohd Haffiz said the initiative continued the city council’s previous efforts, with five similar programmes conducted in 2024 and 2025 resulting in 932 stray dogs being sterilised and handed over to partner NGOs.
He said MBJB was also expanding adoption programmes, managing the capture of stray dogs and handling voluntary surrenders of animals by owners.
RM5.6mil sanctuary
Another major component of MBJB’s strategy is the establishment of JBSAS, developed at a cost of RM5.6mil to improve animal welfare and management within its jurisdiction.
The sanctuary in the Tampoi industrial area near Bandar Baru Uda began operations this year and is equipped with basic facilities to temporarily accommodate various animals including birds, cats, dogs, goats and cattle.
The facility also has administrative offices as well as open spaces for animal accommodation, providing a centralised location for the temporary placement, safekeeping and claiming of strays.
Mohd Haffiz said the facility, which was expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2027, would strengthen MBJB’s capacity to manage stray animal issues systematically.
He called on residents to ensure pets are properly cared for and not allowed to roam freely, thus potentially causing public disturbances or safety concerns.
Mohd Haffiz encouraged adoption rather than the purchase of pets, while urging NGOs and animal lovers to step up public awareness campaigns on responsible ownership.
He said pet owners should be educated on the importance of sterilisation, preventing uncontrolled breeding and ensuring they only kept animals within their financial and physical capabilities.
“Keeping a pet involves significant costs and long-term commitment, including expenses for food, medication, recreation and grooming,” he said.
Mohd Haffiz said the ultimate objective was not merely to reduce the number of stray animals but to ensure animal management in Johor Baru was carried out responsibly, effectively and humanely.
Proper cages and ventilation among key features at the new Johor Baru Stray Animal Sanctuary. — Photos: Handout
Mohd Haffiz says MBJB has intensified efforts to manage stray animal populations.
JBSAS is equipped to handle various types of animals including birds and goats.
Mohd Jafni (second from right) and Md Israk (left) visiting JBSAS.
The RM5.6mil animal sanctuary in Johor Baru is targeted as a centralised location for the temporary placement, safekeeping and claiming of strays, with pens for a variety of animals including goats and cattle.
Pet lovers are being encouraged to adopt cats or dogs from shelters rather than purchasing them. — Filepic
