Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Suhakam’s children’s commissioners want Malaysian authorities to identify locations where roaming or aggressive dogs could pose a serious risk to children. The proposed mapping would focus on schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, housing areas and routes commonly used by children. A two-year-old girl was allegedly attacked by five roaming dogs near her grandmother’s home in Sungai Kelambu, Johor, on Sept 5. She suffered serious injuries to her head and face and was taken to hospital before being transferred to Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru.

What measures has Suhakam recommended?

The commissioners want authorities to improve complaint handling, identify high-risk locations, establish clearer response procedures and maintain better national records of incidents involving children and roaming dogs.

Location: Malaysia
State: Johor
Key Area: Sungai Kelambu and Johor Bahru
Issue: Child safety, roaming dogs and animal management

Suhakam Calls for Mapping of High-Risk Dog Areas

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged local authorities to identify and map areas where roaming or aggressive dogs could endanger children, saying preventive action is needed before another serious incident occurs. The organisation’s children’s commissioners said authorities should create a clearer system for identifying stray dog attacks and locations where children may face a higher risk. The proposed stray dogs hotspot mapping should cover schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, public housing projects, flats, residential neighbourhoods and routes regularly used by schoolchildren. The commissioners said the Housing and Local Government Ministry, state governments, local councils and the Department of Veterinary Services should adopt a coordinated and risk-based approach to dealing with roaming dogs.

Serious Johor Attack Raises Fresh Concerns

The girl was allegedly attacked by five dogs near her grandmother’s house in Sungai Kelambu on the morning of Sept 5. She sustained serious injuries to her head and face. Following the incident, she was taken to a district hospital and later transferred to Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Bahru for further treatment. Suhakam’s children’s commissioners said the incident should not be viewed as a one-off event. They pointed to several reported cases since 2023 involving children who were attacked or bitten by roaming or stray dogs. The commissioners also highlighted the danger children can face while attempting to escape from aggressive animals. In one incident in Sitiawan in 2024, a boy reportedly ran into a road while being chased by a dog and narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle.

Children Need Safer Public Spaces

Suhakam said children should be able to play, walk around their neighbourhoods and travel to school without being exposed to foreseeable and preventable dangers. Young children can be particularly vulnerable when confronted by aggressive animals because of their smaller size and limited ability to protect themselves or respond quickly during an attack. The commissioners said public authorities have a responsibility to respond when a recurring danger has already been identified. They argued that children should not have to stop using playgrounds, avoid walking near their homes or change their normal routes to school because of a known problem involving roaming dogs. The issue, according to Suhakam, should therefore be viewed not only as an animal-control matter but also as a child safety concern when children are regularly exposed to potentially dangerous animals.

Better Complaint System Urged

The commissioners called for authorities to develop a more consistent system for receiving and responding to complaints. Under such a system, reports involving aggressive dog packs near schools, childcare centres, playgrounds and residential areas could be assessed according to the level of risk. They also want better national data on incidents involving children and animals. Accurate information could help authorities identify recurring problem areas and determine where additional action is needed. A centralised record of incidents could also allow government agencies and local authorities to understand whether particular neighbourhoods are experiencing repeated problems. The commissioners said timely follow-up would be particularly important when several complaints are received from the same location.

Safety Education Should Support Prevention

Suhakam also stressed the importance of educating children, parents, schools and childcare providers about how to respond when they encounter aggressive animals. Children can be taught not to approach unfamiliar dogs and to seek help from adults when they encounter animals displaying threatening behaviour. Parents and caregivers should also understand the importance of obtaining medical attention quickly after a bite or other injury. However, Suhakam made clear that education should complement government action rather than replace it. The commissioners said responsibility for dealing with a known public safety risk should remain with the relevant authorities. They argued that telling children to simply avoid dangerous areas does not resolve the underlying problem when officials are already aware of repeated complaints.

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Child Protection and Animal Welfare

While calling for stronger action, Suhakam also stressed that measures involving roaming dogs must be carried out humanely and within the law. The commissioners said enforcement should comply with Malaysia’s Animal Welfare Act 2015. This means efforts to improve public safety should not result in unnecessary or unlawful treatment of animals. The organisation maintained that animal welfare and child protection can be addressed together through responsible management and lawful enforcement. Authorities, according to the commissioners, need to find practical ways to reduce risks to children while ensuring that animal-management measures meet legal and welfare standards.

Why Hotspot Mapping Could Help Authorities

Mapping high-risk areas could give local councils a clearer picture of where roaming dogs are creating recurring safety concerns. Schools, playgrounds, housing areas and routes used by children could be monitored more closely when repeated complaints are recorded. Such information could also help authorities allocate resources more effectively and identify areas requiring faster intervention. For Suhakam, the key objective is prevention. Rather than waiting for another child to suffer serious injuries, authorities should respond when warning signs and repeated complaints already exist. The commissioners said children have a right to live, play and travel in environments that are reasonably safe from foreseeable risks. The latest call therefore puts renewed attention on dog bite prevention, responsible animal management and stronger protection for children in communities affected by roaming dogs.

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