#JusticeForKopi: Here is a complete timeline leading up to her tragic death and its aftermath

On October 6, just two days after World Animal Day, tragedy struck Terengganu.

Kopi, a beloved stray dog ​​known for her gentle nature, was shot dead by local authorities. What followed was an outpouring of grief, anger and action from animal lovers across the country.

In case you’re not up to speed on what happened, here’s a detailed timeline of events and the ongoing movement seeking justice for Kopi.

October 6: Kopi’s tragic death

On Sunday, October 6, residents of Terengganu were shocked by the sound of gunfire.

A witness who knew Kopi well ran out and found her lying on her side, bleeding and crying in pain after being shot by Majlis Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu (MBKT) staff.

Despite all attempts to comfort her, Kopi succumbed to her injuries shortly afterwards.

Known as the “big sister” of local street cats and puppies, Kopi was loved by the community for her harmless and gentle nature. Her death shocked residents and sparked immediate outrage.

October 7-13: Outrage and rise of #JusticeForKopi

News of Kopi’s death spread quickly, sparking anger and grief on social media. The hashtag #JusticeForKopi began spreading like wildfire, with Malaysians expressing their sadness and demanding accountability from MBKT.

Animal rights organization Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) was the first to mobilize the public and urge Malaysians to report the incident to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

They also provided guidance on how to file a report and lodge a complaint with the DVS hotline.

Amid the growing wave of public outrage, SAFM and other NGOs vowed to advocate for justice for Kopi and announced plans to meet with legal teams to explore measures that could prevent such incidents from happening again.

They also called for the use of more humane methods such as the trap-neuter-return (TNR) method to deal with stray animal populations rather than inhumanely killing them.

October 12: SAFM condemns the shooting, MDB defends its actions

On October 12, 2024, the SAFM publicly condemned the shooting of Kopi, denouncing the act as a violation of animal rights and criticizing the council’s failure to treat stray animals ethically. In response to this criticism, Besut District Council (MDB) released a statement defending its actions.

MDB Chairman Sukeri Ibrahim explained that the operation was in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

According to NST, Sukeri disclosed that 25 personnel from the MDB, Besut District Veterinary Office and Kota Putera State Legislative Assembly Office were involved in the operation to capture and destroy stray dogs in Jerteh.

He justified the Council’s actions with the following words:

• 62 complaints about stray dogs taken in between January and September 2024.
• Reports from aggressive dogs near the Jerteh BSN branch attack passers-by.
• The Dog Licensing Bylaws (Besut District Council) 1990which allows the killing of dogs without an identifiable owner.
• Section 30 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015which allows the use of firearms under certain circumstances.

Sukeri denied the allegations that the dog’s body was abandoned, saying that the council officials were prevented by the complainant from recovering and burying Kopi’s remains as per the SOP.

He added that while the state government expressed concern over the incident, the council’s actions were in line with regulations that prioritized public safety. Finally, Sukeri called for discussions between local authorities and NGOs to address the increasing number of complaints about stray dogs.

Oct. 14: Legal action and growing support for #JusticeForKopi

On Monday, the #JusticeForKopi movement gained significant momentum when animal rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan confirmed that a civil case would be filed against Besut District Council in Terengganu for violating the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

NGOs, legal teams and independent rescuers were also united in their demand that the officers involved in the Kopi shooting face legal consequences.

SAFM pointed out that under Malaysian law, any person who regularly feeds and cares for a stray animal is legally considered its owner, The Vibes reported.

This revelation added another layer to the case as it was revealed that Kopi had been regularly fed by a local caretaker, making the illegality of MBKT’s actions even clearer.

Petitions demanding justice for Kopi gathered nearly 20,000 signatures and over 65 formal complaints were lodged with the DVS, increasing calls for change.

Oct. 15: Rally at Sentul police station

Yesterday, about 100 people gathered outside Sentul Police Station in Kuala Lumpur to show their support for the #JusticeForKopi movement.

Rajesh Nagarajan, along with other animal rights activists, filed a police complaint against the local authorities involved in Kopi’s death.

Sashi Kumar Shanmugam of the Global Human Rights Federation also submitted a report emphasizing that the use of firearms against animals is restricted and should only be allowed when human lives are in danger.

He reiterated that Kopi was not a stray as she had a regular feeder, which legally made her a “own” animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

Oct. 18: Memorandum filed

The next crucial step in the movement will take place on Friday when SAFM, along with other animal rights organizations such as SPCA, MAWA and Lawyers of Animal Rights, will submit a memorandum to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Putrajaya at 3 p.m.

The memorandum calls for justice in light of Kopi’s death and advocates for the ethical treatment of all stray animals in Malaysia.

The aim is also to ensure that such incidents are not repeated and to introduce more humane methods of dealing with stray populations.

Moving on: Continuing the fight for animal rights

Although Kopi’s tragic death left a deep wound, it also sparked a powerful movement for change.

The ongoing efforts, from legal action to petitions and public meetings, reflect the growing consensus that Malaysia needs better systems for dealing with stray animals. Humane methods such as TNR and adoption must be prioritized over culling, and transparency in animal welfare practices must be enforced.

For those who wish to contribute or show support, the SAFM hotline (013-7066770) remains available for further reporting and assistance in seeking justice for Kopi.

Rest in peace, Kopi. We hope you get justice.

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