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SHAH ALAM, 3 August: The Royal City Council of Klang (MBDK) has reaffirmed that the recent stray dog capture operation at Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Klang, was carried out in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). MBDK Mayor Dato’ Abd Hamid Hussain said the operation was conducted following numerous complaints from residents regarding threats posed by stray dogs to public safety, including an accident that left a victim receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). “The complaints involved incidents along Jalan Sungai Sama Gagah 19B on 13 and 14 July, before the operation was carried out on 29 July from 8.30 pm to 12 midnight. “My officers and staff complied with the SOP set by KPKT by using approved equipment such as capture loops and nets. “The death of the dog occurred due to a struggle during the operation and was not caused by the capture method used,” he said when met at the Dewan Annexe, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building, today. He explained that the operation involved 11 MBDK personnel together with approximately 50 residents and members of the Neighbourhood Watch (KRT), resulting in the successful capture of 12 stray dogs. “The stray dog issue in the area had reached a critical level. Therefore, MBDK, together with KRT, conducted a special operation. Before the operation began, all personnel and residents involved were briefed on the capture methods according to the required SOP,” he said. Abd Hamid said the incident involving the 13th dog occurred when a woman claiming to be its owner attempted to pull the animal away during the capture process, resulting in the dog becoming entangled and subsequently dying. “A struggle occurred when the woman claimed that the dog belonged to her. The incident caused the dog to become entangled, leading to its death,” he said. He added that the woman later denied ownership of the dog, while checks found that no valid licence was presented to verify ownership. “If there had been no interference with the operation, we believe the incident would not have occurred. If the dog was indeed owned, a claim could have been submitted to the council through the proper procedures,” he said. Abd Hamid said two MBDK officers had been called to assist with the police investigation, while MBDK would fully cooperate and leave further investigations to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Meanwhile, he revealed that MBDK receives approximately 50 complaints related to stray dogs every month within its administrative area. He said the shortage of enforcement personnel, coupled with difficulties in securing private companies to carry out capture services, had led MBDK to work together with residents to expedite action at reported locations. “Stray dogs not only disturb residents but also pose risks to students and food delivery riders. Therefore, we are working together with residents to identify locations and assist in carrying out operations more effectively,” he said. |
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