KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — The Selangor government has ordered local authorities in the state to review, evaluate and update the standard operating procedure (SOP) in all animal shelters operated by councils.

Selangor Local Government Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the SOP practices will be tabled at the state government for review, better improvement, The Star reported.

"Upgrading of the animal shelters will also be discussed. Our Selangor government upholds Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s concern over the matter,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

The state government action comes on the heels of the concerns publicly expressed by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, about the treatment of some 100 stray dogs that had been kept at Kuala Langat Municipal Council after pictures of their emaciated condition were posted on social media and went viral earlier this week.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin is also the Royal Patron of the Stray Free Selangor campaign run by the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty Animals.

She said the authorities need to review and adopt a more holistic approach to managing these animal shelters.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also said the community must play a part to care for animals and called to intensify the "Create Caring and Compassionate Communities” campaign for strays.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali has also ordered the local district councils to check on all animal shelters in the historical state after seeing the pictures of the dogs at the Hulu Langat pound.

The Star also reported that several animal rescuers have since taken 97 dogs from the Hulu Langat pound and sent them to an animal shelter in Johor, though some 14 have died.