The Negeri Sembilan state assembly has unanimously agreed that some stray dogs in predominantly Malay-Muslim residential areas should be culled to address safety concerns.
Menteri besar Aminuddin Harun cited increasing complaints and public safety risks as reasons for the proposed culling, which would be handled by the local authorities, Utusan Malaysia reported.
He expressed hope that NGOs would understand the gravity of the issue and the rationale behind the government’s approach.
“I understand there will be NGOs that will protest, but I hope they realise that there have been accidents caused by stray dogs.
“The state government does not intend to cull all of them. Only some of the stray dogs in areas where they pose a threat,” he was quoted as saying in the state assembly sitting today.
The issue of stray dogs has been a problem in several states, with many local councils traditionally relying on the capture-and-kill approach to manage stray dog populations.
Animal rights groups and welfare advocates have criticised this method as ineffective, costly, and inhumane, arguing that it does not provide a long-term solution.
Yew Boon Lye (PH–Chuah) also called for similar action to be extended to non-Malay majority areas.
“I hope the measure can be implemented comprehensively – not just in Malay areas but also in non-Malay areas,” he said.
Opposition leader Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker voiced support for firmer action to resolve the issue, saying it required a decisive response.
State assembly speaker M K Ibrahim Abd Rahman then ruled that the proposed culling method should be detailed and referred to the relevant state executive councillor for further action.
