DECEMBER 28 — A controversial animal welfare group has drawn flak over the drowning of over 40 dogs at its shelter in Kajang due to flash flood last Saturday, Star Online reported today.

The shelter of Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) had previously been flooded but no animal death was reported. During last Saturday’s incident, the dogs could not get out of their cages.

To add to MIAR’s troubles, its office bearers are currently fighting deregistration by the Selangor Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Star Online reported MIAR vice-president Shalinee Fernandez as saying that the group had been slapped with an impending deregistration notice after four out of seven office bearers notified RoS and lodged police reports over the alleged mishandling of funds by its president T. Puspa Rani.

Shalinee was quoted as saying MIAR discovered very serious irregularities and discrepancies in the issuance of cheques and withdrawals from its account, and its bank account had since been frozen. It was also reported that the owner of the bungalow in Subang has accused MIAR of stealing his dogs, claiming that out of the 31 dogs taken, including 28 healthy pure-breeds such as shih-tzus and toy poodles.

Puspa Rani declined to comment when contacted by Star Online.