IPOH: The Kampar District Council (MDK) enforcement officers who shot dead stray dogs during a dog-catching operation should be charged in court, says Lawyers for Animal Rights (LAR).

       In a joint statement issued by the group, comprising of N. Rajesh, Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal and Ann Marie Siaw, they said the shooting of the dogs was a blatant contravention of the Animal Welfare Act.

       "LAR strongly denounces the illegal shooting of stray dogs.

       "The shootings are illegal pursuant to Section 30 of the Animal Welfare Act," the said on Thursday (Nov 11).

       "LAR demands that the MDK, the police and the Veterinary Services Department take immediate and decisive action to hold the officers responsible for this crime to be charged in a court of law," they added.

       It was reported that four dogs were shot dead by enforcement officers during the operation in Taman Kampar Barat on Nov 4 at about 4am.

       LAR said witnesses saw between four and five enforcement officers involved, and thay had driven around in a MDK pick-up truck.

       They claimed that one of the officers was inside the vehicle, aiming, shooting and killing the fleeing dogs.

       "The dogs are docile, friendly and most of them are neutered.

       "None of the murdered dogs had attacked the officers," they said, adding that separate police reports against the council and the officers have been lodged.