KUALA LUMPUR – Targeting stray animals based on the racial or religious makeup of a community is “barbaric and morally indefensible”, said non-governmental organisation Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), condemning the Negri Sembilan state government’s proposal to cull stray dogs in Malay-majority neighbourhoods.
In a strongly worded statement, the NGO described the move as “unjust, discriminatory, and inhumane”, warning that it “sets a dangerous precedent for institutionalised segregation under the guise of public safety” and undermines any claim of fairness or inclusivity in public policy.
“It is deeply disturbing that such a policy was unanimously supported by state assembly members, ignoring both scientific evidence and the voices of communities who oppose cruelty,” GHRF said.
Negri Sembilan’s Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun announced the proposed culling yesterday, citing increasing public complaints and safety concerns in Muslim-majority areas.
The plan, to be executed by local authorities, involves culling strays in these areas alone. Aminuddin said the measure was not targeted at all dogs, only those “posing a threat,” and expressed hope that NGOs would understand the reasoning.
While some assembly members, including those from the opposition, have voiced support for tougher measures, others suggested such action should be applied uniformly, if at all, and not along communal lines.
However, GHRF strongly disagreed, calling the justification flawed and misleading.
“The problem of strays is not confined to one community or religious group,” it said. “Such a policy implies that the lives of animals – and the way the state handles public issues – are subject to racial and religious lines. That is not only unethical, it is dangerous.”
“What we are witnessing is not stray control – it is an undeclared war against voiceless animals,” said GHRF president S. Shashi Kumar.
“The use of brutal tactics like shooting, poisoning, and inhumane capture operations are being carried out routinely across the country, often with no oversight, transparency, or regard for ethical standards.”
GHRF warned that limiting action to “Muslim-majority areas” not only alienates Malaysians but also violates the spirit of unity the nation claims to uphold.
“Stray dogs are not exclusively a threat to any ethnic community,” it added.
“Policies like these risk fuelling mistrust among communities, as they suggest that compassion and protection are selectively granted, not universally applied.”
The rights group is calling on the Negri Sembilan state government to immediately withdraw the proposal for selective culling, to work transparently with animal welfare NGOs and shelters to develop humane and effective stray management policies, and to cease the use of racial or religious justifications for policies that affect all citizens equally.
GHRF also said the group submitted a working paper on April 18 to the Housing and Local Government Ministry – developed in collaboration with several leading animal rights organisations – outlining a framework for managing stray populations.
GHRF has also called for urgent amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to strengthen legal protections for strays and remove outdated clauses that allow cruelty to persist under legal loopholes. The group emphasised that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with education and long-term strategies, including spay-neuter campaigns among others.
“What we are witnessing is not stray management, but a culture of cruelty,” said Shashi.
“If this brutality continues, Malaysia will be seen and known for committing genocide against stray dogs in the eyes of the world. We urge all Malaysians to reject this path and demand policies rooted in justice, empathy, and shared responsibility,” it said. – May 1, 2025