Legal representative tells veterinarian to proceed with lawsuit threat following animal clinic controversy
PETALING JAYA: A lawyer acting on behalf of animal welfare advocates has challenged a veterinarian to proceed with legal action after she was reported to have threatened to sue activists and media outlets over allegations linked to the Damansara Damai clinic case.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan issued the challenge at a press conference held at Messrs Raj & Sach, here, today, following a statement from veterinarian Fadzillah Ai’ni Abdul Kadir had said she would pursue legal action against those who criticised her over the incident.
“If you believe you have been defamed, then sue. Take us to court. Let the facts be tested in an open forum,” Rajesh said.
He said the allegations surrounding the clinic were already under investigation by authorities and involved matters of public interest, including animal welfare and regulatory oversight.
“This is not about gossip or rumours. This is about deaths, evidence, and enforcement. These are matters that should be scrutinised, not silenced,” he said.
Rajesh said criticism directed at the veterinarian arose from information that had already been reported publicly and from findings raised by animal welfare groups, adding that threatening legal action against activists and journalists risked chilling legitimate scrutiny.
He also questioned the pace of regulatory response, saying enforcement agencies should prioritise investigations rather than focusing on rebuttals or counterclaims.
“If there is evidence of wrongdoing, charge her. If there is none, clear her name. But threatening people who speak up does not resolve the issue,” he said.
Rajesh further called on the Malaysian Veterinary Council to clarify whether it had initiated disciplinary proceedings or a review of the veterinarian’s licence status, noting that professional bodies had a duty to act transparently in cases involving public trust.
“To date, we have not seen a clear public statement on whether disciplinary action is being considered. Silence only fuels speculation,” he said.
He added that if enforcement action continued to stall, further steps, including formal complaints and public accountability measures, would be considered.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the law to be applied equally, and for criticism in the public interest to be respected,” he said.
During the press conference, several witnesses and former clinic staff also came forward to make further claims on “assured wellbeing of pets” by the veterinarian as well as “unsafe practices” in the said clinic.
The case went viral earlier this month after images showed a dead dog and cat inside veterinary clinic in Damansara Damai.
On December 19, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) reportedly stated that it received 1,920 complaints and recorded a statement under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code, while police confirmed an investigation.
At a separate press conference last Friday, the veterinarian behind the clinic disputed the allegations and is considering legal action against activists and media outlets.
