KEDAH police have received two reports about local council officers beating stray animals to death in Kulim.

State police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the reports were lodged by people who were alarmed by the actions, which had been filmed and the clips shared on social media.

“An investigation paper has been opened under Section 428 of the penal code for committing mischief by killing, poisoning or rendering useless of animals,” he said in a statement today.

“The penal code carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.”

Kamarul added police were checking to find out whether the council had breached the law and public health orders in killing the dogs.

The top cop urged the public not to share the videos on social media or talk about the incidents.

The Star reported that a 54-year-old businessman was one of the individuals who lodged a police report over the killing of stray dogs in Kulim.

“A group of men, including some wearing Kulim Municipal Council (MPKK) vests, were seen hitting a dog with a piece of wood and a metal rod.”

“The dog was yelping in pain but they did not stop. After a few minutes, the dog died,” the businessman, who was identified as R. Wilson, was quoted as saying. 

Wilson urged the Veterinary Services Department to investigate the matter under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

In a statement posted on Facebook, NGO Lawyers for Animal Rights also called on the police and MPKK to investigate the incident. – July 10, 2021.