1. DAPSY Malaysia strongly condemns the disturbing incident involving the death of a dog known as “Rocky” during an enforcement operation in Klang, and calls upon the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the tragic incident.
2. At the same time, DAPSY calls upon Majlis Bandaraya Diraja Klang (MBDK) to extend a public apology to Rocky’s caregivers and to the public over the tragic incident that resulted in Rocky’s death.
3. A video clip circulating online depicts a group of men, believed to be enforcement officers, restraining a dog with a capture loop attached to a long pole in a residential area at night.
4. The video also shows a woman desperately pleading with the officers to release the dog, but to no avail. It ends with Rocky lying motionless on the road with the capture loop still around its neck.
5. Regardless of the differing accounts surrounding the incident, the footage warrants a full investigation to establish the truth and determine whether any laws, procedures or animal welfare standards were breached. Rocky’s caregivers and the public deserve clear answers.
6. DAPSY firmly believes that all animals are creations of God and deserve to be treated with compassion and dignity. No individual or enforcement agency should resort to cruelty, excessive force or vigilantism against any living creature.
7. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772), acts of unlawful killing, torturing, beating, or poisoning animals constitute serious offences. Convictions under Section 29 and Section 30 carry penalties ranging from RM20,000 to RM100,000 in fines, or up to three years in prison, or both.
8. Therefore, PDRM must investigate the cause of Rocky’s death thoroughly and, if any criminal conduct or abuse is established, take firm action against anyone found responsible for causing Rocky’s unnecessary suffering and death. No one is above the law.
9. Apart from determining the cause of Rocky’s death, PDRM should also investigate allegations that the local police declined to take immediate action on the grounds that the stray dog did not possess a valid licence.
10. The absence of a licence is never an excuse for the authorities to avoid investigating possible acts of animal cruelty or other criminal offences.
11. Apart from issuing a public apology, DAPSY also calls upon the MBDK to thoroughly review its current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for enforcement operations in order to restore public confidence. MBDK must also strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that future enforcement operations are carried out humanely, professionally and in strict compliance with established SOPs.
12. #JusticeForRocky is not only about identifying those responsible, but also about upholding the rule of law, protecting animal welfare, respecting all forms of life, and reaffirming the spirit of compassion. No one is above the law, and acts of cruelty or vigilantism must never be tolerated in a civilised society.