He said MBPP is holding meetings with the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA), Penang Animal Sanctuary Society (PASS), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and 4PAWS currently. "We tried working with others but (were) unable to because they 'viralled' a lot of negative untruths about the council and state,” he said when contacted. He added that the council is always open to meet and work with local animal groups on this issue. Yew was responding to criticism by animal rights activist Dalbinder Singh that the city council has refused to cooperate with local animal rights groups. Dalbinder had also demanded for explanations on why a dog, named Butcho, had died after city council dog catchers tranquilised it and took it away two days ago. On Butcho’s case, Yew said it was unfortunate that the dog had died. "Our dog catchers don’t go in to intentionally kill dogs, they were merely following the standard operating procedures of tranquilising the dogs before taking them to the pound,” he said. He said MBPP had to act on the numerous complaints it had received on packs of stray dogs threatening the safety of beachgoers in Batu Ferringhi. "TripAdvisor even gave Batu Ferringhi beach a one-star rating due to the aggressive stray dogs issue,” he said. He explained that the council had to act to prevent any untoward incidences. "We tranquilised and took the dogs to the dog pound in a humane manner, we do not condone cruelty to animals,” he said. Earlier today, Butcho’s owner, K.Chendeladevan, 49, said he had lodged a police report against the council over his 15-year-old dog’s death. He said his dog was a gentle dog who did not hurt anyone and that he had a license.