Monkey and dog 'demonisation' blamed on habitat loss, not viciousness, says lawyer

SHAH ALAM – An animal rights lawyer has condemned the demonisation of monkeys and stray dogs in Malaysian neighbourhoods, calling it a dangerous distraction from the real culprits: deforestation, urban neglect and institutional failure.

Lawyer and animal rights advocate Rajesh Nagarajan criticised recent media and public narratives that blame monkeys and stray dogs for posing a threat to urban communities.

He described these claims as deeply irresponsible and a gross oversimplification.

“It is deeply irresponsible to blame monkeys and dogs as the root of danger; this narrative is a grotesque oversimplification.

“Monkeys and stray dogs are not inherently vicious, but their behaviour is directly shaped by human actions. Rather than dealing with the real issue, the narrative scapegoats displaced animals," he told Sinar Daily.

Rajesh argued that long-tailed macaques, now listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are being pushed into human spaces due to habitat destruction, not malicious intent.

“They are not invaders, they are victims of habitat destruction. Their raids into homes, bins or rooftops are desperate attempts to find food and shelter that was once theirs.

“Meanwhile, stray dogs in cities are typically abandoned, unvaccinated and unsterilised due to systemic neglect not because they are biologically predisposed to chase children or bark incessantly.

"The problem lies with poor waste management, failed spay/neuter programmes and inadequate public infrastructure, not in natural aggression,” he added.

Rajesh warned that knee-jerk responses like culling not only fail to solve the issue but often escalate fear and reinforce public hostility.

He stated that authorities often resort to culling or harsh control instead of humane deterrence or coexistence.

“These animals simply adapt, reinforcing fear rather than solving the root causes.

“In Penang, a compassionate method of shaking fruit trees to encourage monkeys to depart safely has worked without harm. Similar methods can work elsewhere," he said.

He also cautioned against misplaced fear, pointing out that the real danger is from humans.

He acknowledged that there have been monkey incidents in places like Kuala Krai, with some causing injuries, but these numbers pale in comparison to human-caused tragedies.

Malaysia has logged over 66,800 human–wildlife conflict reports from 2020–2024 alone, showing that the real loss is habitat.

Rajesh also issued a powerful call for accountability and systemic reform.

“Everytime we depict monkeys and dogs as uncontrollable threats, we seriously deflect responsibility for deforestation, urban sprawl, unregulated feeding, improper waste disposal and lack of humane control policy.

“These animals are acting out of a survival instinct. We forced them into these roles. Monkeys and stray dogs are not terrorists in our neighbourhoods; they are displaced survivors.

"If residents truly felt endangered, the solution wouldn’t be demonising these creatures. It would be ending the displacement that created the issue in the first place," he said.

Rajesh’s statements come amid increasing reports of human–animal encounters in neighbourhoods bordering green zones.

In Bukit Wawasan, Puchong, residents have grown fearful due to frequent intrusions by wild macaques from the nearby forest reserve.

A local Joint Management Body (JMB) staff member who wished to be known as Adila, said the monkeys appear every afternoon, climb fences onto rooftops, and even open windows.

“If the kitchen window is open, they ransack the food. No wonder, the residents are constantly fearful and anxious about their families’ safety,” she said.

"Children have reportedly been chased and homes damaged by monkeys prying open roof tiles. Adila said the JMB has lodged several complaints with the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) but was told such issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

Meanwhile, stray dogs have raised safety concerns in areas like USJ11, Bandar Puteri Puchong and Seri Putra in Kajang.

Residents report dogs chasing children, barking incessantly, and even causing injuries.

Indian food vendor Nanthasundari Kuppan from Puchong described her daily anxiety.

“Sometimes the dogs seem calm, but once they start chasing people, there is no time to react. What frightens us is the fear of a rabies outbreak.

“I run my stall under a tent in an open area, even customers get worried and hesitate to come to my stall," she said.

Despite this, Nanthasundari rejected extreme measures.

She urged authorities to catch the animals properly and send them to people who genuinely want to care for them. She added that people are willing to adopt the animals.