PETALING JAYA: Animal activists have called for urgent investigations into the alleged shooting of stray dogs in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
The Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) said the Animal Welfare Act strictly prohibits the shooting of dogs without special permission.
“In particular, Section 30 forbids the use of firearms to kill animals.
“We urge the police to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter,” Peka vice president Dr Kartini Farah Rahim said after lodging a report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters here yesterday.
She claimed that the university’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration office had instructed the killings, carried out by a contractor.
“UPM should stand as a role model for all institutions in upholding openness and ethical conduct,” she added.
Peka’s lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan, demanded action from the university and the Veterinary Services Department.
“Those responsible must be brought to justice. There can be no compromise.
“If UPM fails to act, we will stage a large-scale protest at the university’s main gate in front of the students.
“We are giving them until Friday to take action against the culprits,” he said.
It was reported that 18 dogs were shot dead at the campus.
In a statement on Oct 4, UPM said that it had formed a committee to investigate Peka’s claims that dogs and puppies were killed on its campus.
The university said it takes feedback on its stray management seriously.
It added that every action related to animal management is carried out in a manner that is responsible, ethical and compliant with rules and guidelines by the authorities.
