Owner weighs legal options after dog Rocky's death in Port Klang

The owner of a dog named Rocky, which died during a catching operation in Port Klang, is weighing her legal options, her lawyer said.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, lawyer Choo Dee Wei said his client, who wished to be identified only as Roghinidevi, is still awaiting the findings of police and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) on the July 29 incident at Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Port Klang.

Recounting the incident, Roghinidevi said a neighbour told her that another dog had allegedly chased a child in the neighbourhood, but that Rocky was not involved.

She said that after returning home with her daughter, she found a crowd gathered in front of her house and Rocky being caught by two men.

Roghinidevi said she pleaded repeatedly for Rocky to be released, explaining that the dog was a family pet.

"I told them, 'If you want to take it away, fine. I will hand it over myself. I admit I don't have a licence (to keep a dog), but you can take it. I won't stop you,'" she said.

She claimed her pleas were ignored and the catching device was left wrapped around Rocky's neck. She said she and her daughter tried to cut the device to free Rocky but were stopped by members of the public, and that her hand was struck with a stick.

By the time Klang City Council (MBK) officers arrived, she said, Rocky was already dead. She claimed the device used was not a standard dog-catching noose but a transparent cable containing wire, which officers had to cut with a cutter.

Roghinidevi also criticised the authorities' initial response, which she said focused more on the lack of a dog licence, before police eventually recorded her report officially after video of the incident went viral.

Stray Animals Foundation Malaysia (SAFM) president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said police and DVS must investigate based on all available evidence, including witness statements, video recordings, physical evidence and veterinary findings. The group is also awaiting the DVS post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.

Kalaivanan said that while owners are responsible for licensing their pets, the licensing issue should not be conflated with how the dog was handled during the operation. He urged MBK to clarify who carried out the operation, whether members of the public were involved, what equipment was used and whether humane catching guidelines were followed.

"No one has the right to cause unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal just because it does not have a licence," he said.