KUALA LUMPUR: Animal rights activists protested outside Bukit Aman on Saturday (Jan 17) to demand that the investigation into the shooting of 18 stray dogs on the campus of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in October last year be expedited.
Displaying banners with pictures of the allegedly shot dogs, the group stood in silent protest for almost two hours since gathering at 10am today.
The group, comprising representatives from 25 non-governmental animal rights organisations, was led by Selangor Furry Future Association president S. Shashi Kumar, who called for action against the perpetrators of the shooting after months of inaction.
“We had lodged police reports on the incident after it came to light in October last year and apart from a public apology from UPM, no other action has been taken thus far.
“We want the perpetrators, the academic staff who paid money for the dogs to be shot and the pest control company who did the shooting in UPM, to be charged,” he said to reporters during the protest.
Also leading the group was Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka) lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who expressed his disappointment at the lack of any updates on the ongoing investigation of the case by both the police and UPM.
Rajesh said this was especially frustrating despite sufficient evidence and testimony proving that the shooting incident took place on the UPM campus.
“UPM has already admitted that the shooting happened and apologised and so has the pest control company involved.
“There have also been many witnesses to the shootings but this matter has dragged on for many months already and why has no one been charged?
“It is very worrying that the police are seemingly not acting with any urgency in relation to this case,” he said.
The protesters then handed over a memorandum detailing the demands to Asst Supt Norhayati Lop Rashid around noon.
The group was seen dispersing peacefully by 1pm.
In October last year, at least 18 stray dogs were reportedly shot dead on UPM’s campus by a contractor allegedly hired by the university’s Occupational Safety and Health office.
On Oct 4 last year, UPM expressed regret through a public apology and pledged a full internal investigation into the allegations, following massive uproar from animal rights groups as well as the public.
