KUANTAN (Bernama): The Temerloh High Court on Monday (Aug 23) dismissed a leave application by an animal activist for a judicial review of a decision by the Cameron Highlands District Council (MDCH) to carry out a project to capture stray dogs.

       Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, representing T. Puspa Rani, when contacted, said the decision was made by Judicial Commissioner Roslan Mat Noor during an online proceeding.

       "The court dismissed the application on the grounds that the applicant did not have a locus standi (legal right) to file the judicial review application,” he said, adding that he had obtained instructions from his client to file an appeal against the decision.

       Puspa Rani, 45, filed the ex-parte application last April 25, naming the local authority as the respondent.

       The application was filed for an order to revoke MDCH’s decision, dated Jan 27, 2021, on the project to capture stray dogs, claiming that a bounty would be given to those who capture the animal.

       Puspa Rani, who is a former accountant, claimed that the project was against the law and MDCH had abused it power to implement the project, as well as neglecting the rights and causing danger to the safety of the animals.

       She is also seeking, among others, an order for the respondent to release the captured animals to the animal protection association and damages for all the injuries suffered by the dogs so that the funds can be used for their care, medical treatment and rehabilitation.- Bernama