An animal welfare group has pressed the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) to answer a series of questions over the death of pet dog Rocky during a capture operation last month.
Stray Animal Feeders Malaysia (SAFM) president R Kalaivanan said the council should clarify whether the operation was officially authorised, who led it, who carried out the capture, whether members of the public were involved and what equipment was used.
“Who set up, held, and controlled the capture device? Was Rocky pulled or dragged during the operation?
“What did the officers do while Rocky was still caught in the noose? Why wasn’t the noose released earlier?” he asked during a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
Kalaivanan also urged MBDK to disclose its operation records and full report on the incident.
A video showing Rocky struggling while being captured by MBDK enforcement officers at Taman Teluk Gedung Indah in Port Klang previously went viral.
Kalaivanan said information received by SAFM indicated that the incident occurred at about 10.50pm on July 29.
He alleged Rocky was struck on the head before being captured, while its owner, Roghini Devi, claimed the dog was still restrained by a noose around its neck when she arrived.
Roghini also alleged that her right hand was struck with a stick and that she was pulled while trying to save Rocky.
Not just another viral video
Kalaivanan said Roghini contacted SAFM the following day and that the group subsequently reviewed videos, documents, and witness accounts.
He said they advised her to cooperate with the police and Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), and helped coordinate legal assistance when she was called to give her statement.
“SAFM’s role is not to take over the responsibilities of the police or the DVS; our role is to help complainants obtain guidance, support, and access the proper channels so the matter can be investigated in an orderly, evidence-based manner.
“We want this case to go through the proper process, not end as just another viral video,” he said.
Kalaivanan stressed that SAFM was not drawing any conclusion on Rocky’s cause of death, saying this should be determined by DVS through an official examination and investigation.
He also said questions over pet licensing should not be used to justify neglecting animal welfare during enforcement operations.
“If there are licensing violations, they can be investigated and dealt with separately. But licensing does not answer questions about how Rocky was handled during the operation.
“The absence of a licence does not give anyone the right to inflict unnecessary pain and suffering on an animal,” he said.
‘Even ministry rules say no unnecessary violence’
Responding to MBDK’s claim that the operation was conducted according to standard operating procedures (SOPs), Kalaivanan cited the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s Circular No 5 of 2015.
He said the circular states that dogs must be captured humanely and must not be pulled, jerked, dragged, or lifted using a catchpole.
SAFM called on MBDK to disclose the complaint reference number or operational directive, identify who led the operation, and clarify who captured and handled Rocky - whether enforcement officers, contractors, or members of the public.
Kalaivanan also urged DVS and the police to conduct a transparent investigation.
He said the case presented an opportunity for the Selangor government to review SOPs governing animal capture operations.
“We’re not saying don’t catch stray animals. We’re saying they should be captured humanely, without unnecessary violence,” he said.
Long-term solution, improvements needed
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Companion Animal Medicine Industry (Macami) president Salehatul Khuzaimah Ali said the case should serve as a lesson to prevent similar incidents.
She said stray dog management required a long-term solution and animal capture SOPs should be continuously improved to balance animal welfare and public safety.
Separately, MBDK said on Facebook today that it respected the public’s right to assemble and express their views peacefully over Rocky’s death and did not obstruct the protest.
The council added that it would fully cooperate with the police and respect the ongoing investigation. - Mkini
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