Malaysian farmer cries as local council takes dogs away, viral video sparks online sympathy and debate
A viral TikTok video showing a farmer’s dogs being taken by local council officers in Malaysia has sparked public concern online, with reports suggesting the animals were removed following a complaint.
- A TikTok video showing dogs being taken by local council officers went viral with over 800,000 views
- The incident is believed to have taken place in Kedah, Malaysia, following a complaint
- The farmer says the dogs were later eligible for release after cooperation with authorities
MALAYSIA: A TikTok video showing a farmer’s emotional reaction as his dogs were taken by local council officers has gone viral, drawing widespread attention and debate online.
The video was posted on 26 May by user “ismesabar” and has since gained more than 800,000 views, according to platform metrics at the time of reporting.
The footage shows local council officers arriving at the farm to capture the dogs, while the farmer can be heard crying off camera.
Dogs are seen being captured using nets and a snare pole by council personnel.
In subsequent clips, some dogs are seen running away from the farm as the farmer watches from a gate.
The exact timing and location of the incident have not been independently verified.
Incident believed to be in Kedah
According to Malaysian media outlet The Rakyat Post, the incident is believed to have taken place in Kedah, though authorities have not publicly confirmed full details.
The circumstances leading to the operation remain unclear, but reports suggest the local council acted following a public complaint.
Farmer says dogs were taken after complaint
The farmer, identified as Sabar, said in responses to comments online that the local council was only carrying out its duties after receiving a complaint.
He added that he had cooperated with the authorities during the process.
Sabar also stated that the dogs could be released the following day and moved to a nearby shelter, though it was not immediately clear under what conditions this would occur.
In the comments section, Sabar said he had been feeling down following the incident.
Fees and online claims
Screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation shared online suggest that seven dogs were taken during the operation.
The screenshots also claim that a fee of around RM300 (about US$63) per dog was required for release.
Public reaction online
The video sparked widespread reactions online, with many users expressing sympathy for the farmer and arguing that the dogs were being properly cared for at the farm.
Some users questioned why complaints were made against the animals, saying the dogs were not disturbing the public and appeared healthy and well looked after.
"The dogs stay at the farm and do not disturb anyone. The owner takes good care of them, feeds them, and brings them for vaccinations."
Other comments criticised the unidentified complainant behind the reported complaint to authorities.
"Why was the complainant so cruel? This man is not abusing the dogs, he rescues stray dogs and takes good care of them."
Some users also offered financial assistance after screenshots circulated online claiming the farmer needed to pay around RM300 per dog for their release.
"Tok Wan, please share a QR code so we can help."
Context on animal control practices
Local councils in Malaysia are generally responsible for managing stray or roaming animals under municipal by-laws and local government regulations.
Animal welfare practices are also subject to the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which prohibits cruelty and unnecessary suffering towards animals.
According to research published in BMC Public Health, enforcement and management practices involving stray animals may differ between municipalities across Malaysia.
Public debate surrounding the treatment of stray dogs has resurfaced several times in Malaysia following previous viral incidents involving local council enforcement operations.
