Three abused dogs rescued, owner arrested
KUALA LUMPUR: Setapak police and animal rights activists rescued three dogs from an apartment here, after neighbours recorded videos of him abusing the animals.
The dogs, two poodles and a Pomeranian, have been handed over to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) while their 25-year-old owner has been arrested and could face animal abuse charges.
A spokesman from Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) said that a resident of the Jalan Setapak apartment building recorded a video of the man beating his brown poodle on the balcony of his home on Thursday night.
The dog was flung into the air after each blow. The 30-second video also showed him throwing the poodle and choking it.
Setapak station chief Asst Supt Wee Bee Seng led eight men to the apartment block to search for the suspect and the dogs.
Police, DVS and MIAR members searched for about a day before finally discovering the suspect’s home at about 7.30pm on Friday.
Caught in the act: A still from the video showing the dog owner abusing his dogs at his apartment in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
“He was shocked when they came and he admitted to beating the poodle when police showed him the video. He said he did it because the dog was eating its faeces.
Wangsa Maju OCPD Supt Mohamad Roy Suhaimi Sarif confirmed the arrest of the man, who is now being investigated under Section 429 of the Penal Code for maiming animals.
MIAR urged more people who may have witnessed cases of domestic animal abuse to report the incidents to the authorities.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Selangor patron Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye congratulated the police for their quick action, but called on authorities to start cracking the whip with the newly passed Animal Welfare Act 2015.
“The Act has been gazetted, but when is it going to be implemented? It is important for the DVS to make public that the Act will be enforced in the face of all these incidents of animal cruelty,” he said.
Under the new Act, which was passed in June 2015, abusers can face a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 and a jail sentence of not more than three years.
