Protesters gather outside Klang council over Rocky’s death

 They call on Putrajaya to implement a trap-neuter-manage approach instead of continuing to catch and kill stray dogs.

NGOs and animal welfare groups gathered outside the Klang city council headquarters today to protest the death of a pet dog named Rocky during a council enforcement operation last month.

KLANG:

More than 70 protesters gathered outside the Klang city council headquarters here to urge Putrajaya to implement humane, long-term solutions for stray animal management following the death of a pet dog named Rocky during a local council enforcement operation on July 29.

Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi Kumar called on the government to work with animal welfare groups to implement a trap-neuter-manage approach instead of continuing to catch and kill stray dogs.

Shashi also urged Putrajaya to provide greater support to NGOs tackling stray dog and cat issues, saying they were better placed to help resolve the problem nationwide.

He appealed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene, adding that proposals submitted by animal welfare groups had yet to receive a meaningful response.

“We want to solve this problem,” he said, proposing that the government allocate about 10ha of temporary occupied land (TOL) for NGOs to manage stray dog populations.

Rocky died during an enforcement operation in Port Klang on July 29, with the Klang city council reportedly defending its officers and saying the pet dog’s owner had acted aggressively by attempting to cut the noose used to restrain the dog and threatening to harm herself if it was not released.

It said the commotion made it difficult for officers to loosen the rope, and confirmed that Rocky died during the incident.

The Selangor veterinary services department has since recorded statements from several witnesses as part of its investigation into the incident.

The department said the statements were taken on Monday to assist in investigations under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act, which deals with animal cruelty.

The offence carries a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

Police have opened an investigation paper under Section 428 of the Penal Code for the offence of mischief by killing an animal.

The offence carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. - FMT