The horrifying deaths of six cats at Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur have sparked widespread outrage among Malaysian animal lovers, who are questioning a police claim that wild dogs were responsible for the incidents. Over the weekend, efforts intensified to rescue other stray animals on campus from potential harm.
Public anger erupted last week when disturbing images of the deceased cats, some with severe mutilations and missing limbs, began circulating on social media. In response, animal rights activists and concerned citizens rushed to the UM campus, rescuing 22 other cats to protect them from further attacks.
The Royal Malaysian Police addressed multiple complaints about the case, stating the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) attributed the deaths to attacks by wild dogs.
“Security footage from the area where the incident occurred showed a pack of wild dogs attacking the cats,” the police reported on Sunday.
However, many have expressed skepticism over this explanation, arguing that the injuries were too precise to be the result of dog attacks. Activist Shima Aris, who has led rescue efforts, strongly disputed the claim.
“Please think critically; the wounds on these cats do not resemble those from dog attacks,” Shima stated on Instagram. “One cat was found on the third floor of a building. How could stray dogs reach the third floor and inflict such injuries?”
Veterinarians and other critics on social media also questioned the findings, calling them “nonsense.” Shima criticized the reliance on inconclusive security footage, warning that such accusations could lead to the stigmatization and endangerment of stray dogs.
On the same night that Shima and her team rescued 22 cats, another group reportedly attempted to trap the dogs. Shima voiced concern for the dogs’ safety, stating, “These dogs’ lives are also at risk because of these baseless accusations.”
The case has reignited debates about stray animal welfare in Malaysia, a longstanding and contentious issue.
In October, municipal officers in Besut, Terengganu, shot and killed a stray dog named Kopi, a well-loved animal with a social media following. The incident led to protests from animal rights groups demanding legal accountability, criticizing the lack of laws permitting such actions. Earlier in May 2023, an 85-year-old man tragically died while trying to save his pet dog from municipal dogcatchers who had restrained it with a noose.
The gruesome deaths at UM have caught the attention of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. She called for an urgent investigation to uncover the cause of the cats’ deaths.
Dr. Wan Azizah, also Bandar Tun Razak MP, condemned the cruelty, emphasizing the need for a thorough probe to ensure such inhumane acts do not recur. “Investigations must consider all aspects, particularly the mutilation of the cats,” she said in a statement on Saturday.
This incident has reignited discussions about Malaysia’s animal welfare policies and highlighted the need for stronger enforcement and accountability in cases of cruelty.
Related Topics
