A restaurant owner from Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia reportedly received boycott messages after she was seen feeding stray dogs.
They called the dogs “haram” — forbidden in Islam — and disapproved feeding them. For context, dogs’ saliva is perceived as ‘unclean’ in the religion.
Taking to her restaurant’s TikTok page @salaistar, the owner described the netizens as “unkind” as dogs are still “God’s creation”.
The owner also felt that it’s better to give excess food to stray animals rather than throw them away.
“As an animal lover, I simply cannot stop feeding [the dogs],” she explained. “It is in my soul, I cannot be apart from animals.”
Going by her ability to differentiate the canines by appearance, affectionately nicknaming two of them ‘Milo’ and ‘Kopi, it’s likely that the owner has been feeding the stray dogs for quite some time.
In the two-minute clip, the owner showed the various methods used when feeding the stray dogs.
Firstly, she placed plates filled with treats under a tree opposite the eatery. This ensures that the animal will not disturb customers’ experience at the restaurant.
Source: TikTok
Secondly, by not directly touching the dogs, her hands will not be contaminated with the dogs’ saliva.
Her TikTok video has since gone viral, garnering over 200,000 views at the time of writing.
Most netizens empathised with the restaurant owner, with many sharing their intention to patronise and support her business.
Source: TikTok
Translation: Where is your shop, sister? I will go and support.
Multiple netizens even reassured the owner that even if a boycott were to happen, she and her friends would head down together to support the eatery.
Source: TikTok
Translation: Where is your shop, sister? It’s okay if they boycott, I will bring my friends and come to your shop to support you
A few netizens also shared her sentiment, acknowledging that dogs are living things that require food to survive.
Source: TikTok
Translation: The dog also has a stomach which needs to be filled. I also gave a stray dog food in the area behind my house. Poor thing as it’s hungry
Also read: M’sia community dog shot dead, animal rights group to sue district council
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Featured image adapted from @salaistar on TikTok.
Wouldn't hurt to huat before giving out angbaos.
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