MPAJ accused of misusing by-laws in stray dog compound dispute

PETALING JAYA: Two lawyers have criticised the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for imposing compounds on individuals and NGOs seeking to claim captured stray dogs, calling it a misuse of local by-laws.

Last month, an NGO alleged that MPAJ officers demanded RM5,000 for the release of five stray dogs captured in Ampang.

The council defended the move, saying it was in line with the Dog Licensing and Dog Breeding Houses By-Laws (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) 2007.

MPAJ later clarified that it was relying on clauses 3(1) and 17(1) of the by-laws, which cover keeping a dog without a licence and allowing a dog to roam in public. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of RM1,000.

Lawyer Sachpreetraj Singh said the compounds were wrongly imposed on NGOs and volunteers attempting to rescue stray dogs under MPAJ’s care.

“This is a misuse of the by-laws,” he said.

“These NGOs did not commit the offence of keeping unlicensed dogs, nor were they responsible for allowing the dogs to roam freely in public places.”

Sachpreetraj said there was no basis for the penalty.

“It certainly does not solve the underlying problem. If anything, it undermines efforts to address the stray dog issue,” he added.

Sachpreetraj warned that such charges would discourage NGOs from rescuing strays, which face euthanasia within seven days if unclaimed.

Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan echoed the criticism, stating that the relevant provisions only applied to dog owners.

“What MPAJ is saying is nonsense. The above provisions only bind dog owners, but these are stray dogs.

“Good Samaritans who want to bail a dog out with the intention of rescuing it should be applauded, not penalised.”

At a press conference on Monday, deputy MPAJ president Hasrolnizam Shaari said those seeking to claim captured stray dogs must settle all compounds imposed in accordance with the council’s by-laws.

A member of the public eventually paid RM1,250 after MPAJ granted a reduction.