An individual linked to the death of a dog during a capture operation in Klang, Selangor, has defended his actions, stressing that he had no intention to kill the animal known as Rocky.
Claiming to be living under stress due to backlash and death threats targeted at him and his family, 24-year-old Shah Hizam was implicated in the matter after videos alleging that he had acted cruelly against Rocky circulated online.
However, Shah insisted that he was merely at the scene to execute duties entrusted to him, highlighting that Rocky’s death was beyond his intentions and had also saddened him.
“I do not support animal cruelty, nor do I have any intention of injuring or killing (animals).
"I did not attend that night with the intention of injuring or killing any animal,” Harian Metro quoted him as saying during a #JusticeForShah press conference in Shah Alam today.
Also present at the event were independent preacher Firdaus Wong and lawyers Rafique Rashid Ali, Mahmud Jumaar, and Akif Rusli.
Noting that the operation that night successfully captured 12 other stray dogs without any injuries, Rafique said Shah’s legal team is documenting all threatening and defamatory comments against their client.
“We will not hesitate to initiate civil legal action, including defamation suits, against individuals or portals that incite provocations and tarnish Shah's name," he said.
He further disclosed that Shah had attended the capture operation on July 29 as a residents' representative on the invitation of the Jalan Sama Gagah Neighbourhood Watch in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah.
Chaotic situation
The lawyer added that all participants involved during the operation were earlier briefed by Royal City Council of Klang (MBDK) personnel, who demonstrated how to conduct the capture and supplied the loop tool used to secure dogs.
Rafique further claimed that according to Shah’s account, the situation became chaotic when a woman who declared herself to be Rocky’s owner hugged and sat on the animal’s body to prevent the dog from being taken away.
“At that time, a tug-of-war occurred while the loop tool was still on Rocky's neck. The situation became tense and very chaotic,” Rafique said.
Previously, Rocky’s owner, Roghini Devi, said neighbours told her Rocky was beaten with sticks, metal rods, and PVC pipes to the point where he defecated, before the loop tool was tightened around his neck.
She also claimed those holding Rocky refused to release him as she did not have a dog licence, a matter which she admitted to while affirming that she was prepared to surrender Rocky to the local council herself.
“I begged them many times to let him go, but instead, they kept pulling the rope,” she said, alleging that several individuals prevented her and her family from freeing Rocky, with one person striking her with a stick.
According to MBDK’s website, dog owners are required to obtain a licence under the Dogs and Dog Breeding Houses Licensing By-Laws 2007.
Police have since submitted their investigation paper on Rocky’s death to the deputy public prosecutor’s office, with the case probed under Section 428 of the Penal Code for the offence of mischief by killing an animal.
The Selangor Veterinary Services Department is also investigating the matter for animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2015. - Mkini
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