Municipal council in Johor probes alleged dog mistreatment, obscene gesture during stray-dog operation
Batu Pahat Municipal Council will call in a stray-animal contractor and animal welfare groups after a video allegedly showed workers mistreating captured dogs and making an obscene gesture towards residents.
MALAYSIA: The Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) in Johor will investigate allegations that workers hired to manage stray animals mistreated captured dogs and made an obscene gesture towards residents during an operation.
The allegations emerged after a video was posted on Facebook on 17 September, showing workers involved in a stray-dog capture operation in Batu Pahat.
The accompanying post accused the contractors of roughly handling the dogs, stepping on one of the animals and making an obscene gesture towards members of the public.
MPBP said on 18 September that it would call in the contractor and animal welfare groups to hear both sides and obtain a full explanation of what happened.
The council said it was taking the matter seriously and would instruct the contractor to take firm action against the worker involved if misconduct was found to have occurred.
MPBP also said it would introduce appropriate improvements and monitoring measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Council stresses professional conduct
MPBP said all stray-animal management operations must be carried out professionally and responsibly.
At the same time, it reminded members of the public not to interfere with or provoke official operations conducted according to established guidelines.
The council called on all parties to maintain mutual respect and cooperate in addressing stray-animal management issues humanely and effectively, while also prioritising public safety.
The video that prompted the investigation was said to have been recorded by a member of the public who confronted the workers during the operation.
According to MPBP, one of the workers was allegedly seen making an obscene hand gesture towards the person recording the incident.
The council has not stated that the allegations of mistreatment have been established.
Johor executive councillor condemns alleged behaviour
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the alleged behaviour was unacceptable.
Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, said he had immediately contacted Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor and the MPBP president to express his views, understand the circumstances and coordinate a response.
His comments came as authorities stepped up stray-dog control operations in Batu Pahat following a recent attack on a two-year-old girl.
Stray-dog operations expanded after child attack
The Johor state government launched a large-scale operation to capture stray dogs in Batu Pahat earlier in September after the child was attacked by five dogs in Kampung Tambak, Peserai.
The operation involved the Batu Pahat District Office, MPBP, the Department of Veterinary Services and the Royal Malaysia Police.
Authorities said the operation was intended partly to determine whether the captured stray dogs were free from rabies and to address public safety concerns.
MPBP subsequently said it was strengthening efforts to control stray animals.
As of 31 August 2026, the council had carried out 205 operations and captured 736 dogs, according to the Johor state government's media portal.
The council is also developing a 2027–2031 action plan covering stray-animal population control, licensing, enforcement, education, adoption and sterilisation, with cooperation from veterinary authorities, communities and animal welfare organisations.
The latest allegations have therefore emerged amid intensified efforts by authorities to manage Batu Pahat's stray-dog population.
MPBP said it would assess the incident after hearing from the contractor and other relevant parties, with further action dependent on whether misconduct is established.
