The Ipoh City Council has denied allegations that dogs were buried alive at a pound in Lahat, following a viral video. The council's enforcement director, Ahmad Zaiyadi Sudin, confirmed the dogs were euthanized humanely using the "put to sleep" (PTS) method, in line with SOP and the Animal Welfare Act, after a mandatory three-day holding period for strays caught due to public complaints. He stated that 35 dogs were euthanized on the day of the incident, part of 270 since last year, often due to health issues or aggressive behavior.

Perak Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching emphasized that while PTS is a legal last resort, the government is pursuing long-term solutions through public awareness, responsible pet ownership, and NGO collaboration. Initiatives under the "Perak Pawsitive" program include subsidized neutering campaigns and a proposed microchip registration system. Ng noted a shift from Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to Trap-Neuter-Rehome (TNRh), but acknowledged low adoption rates. She also warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation, as the viral video caused widespread public outrage.