Rocky's owner seeks legal advice over dog's death during operation

The owner of a dog named Rocky, which died during an operation in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Port Klang, on July 29, is seeking legal advice over the incident.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, lawyer Choo Dee Wei said his client, who only wanted to be known as Roghinidevi, is still awaiting the outcome of investigations by police and the veterinary services department (DVS).

Recounting the events leading up to Rocky's death, Roghinidevi said a neighbour had told her that another dog had allegedly chased a child in another part of the neighbourhood, but that Rocky was not involved.

She said she returned home after fetching her daughter to find a crowd gathered outside her house and Rocky restrained by two men. She repeatedly pleaded with those present to release him, explaining that he was a family pet.

"I told them, 'If you want to take him, you can. I'll hand him over myself. I admit I did not obtain a licence for him, but you can take him. I won't stop you,'" she said.

However, she claimed her pleas were ignored and the restraint remained around Rocky's neck. She alleged that she and her daughter tried to cut the restraint but were stopped by members of the public, and that she was struck on the hand with a stick while trying to rescue him.

By the time officers from the Klang city council arrived, Rocky had already died, she said. She claimed the restraint used was not a standard dog-catching loop but a transparent cable containing steel wire, which officers had to cut open with a cutter.

Roghinidevi also criticised the authorities' initial response, saying police focused on Rocky's lack of a licence until a viral video prompted them to formally record her report.

"Neighbours later told me Rocky had hidden under a parked car. They said several men went into the (neighbour's) property, dragged him out, and beat him before restraining him," she said.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said it was crucial that police and DVS investigate based on all available evidence, including witness statements, original video recordings, physical evidence and veterinary findings. The group is also awaiting DVS's post-mortem report to determine Rocky's official cause of death.

Kalaivanan said that while pet owners are responsible for licensing their animals, the licence question should be kept separate from how the dog was handled during the operation. He called on the council to clarify who conducted the operation, whether civilians were involved, what equipment was used, and whether the operation complied with guidelines on the humane capture of stray dogs.

"No one is entitled to cause unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal just because it is unlicensed," he said.