Cops question man over arrows shot at dog

PETALING JAYA: The man who shot two arrows at a dog in Taman Sinaran, Taming Jaya was questioned at his house by police Wednesday evening.

According to a police officer from the Kajang district police headquarters, who declined to be named, they had received instructions from the Selangor police headquarters to investigate the matter.

The officer also declined to reveal if the man was being investigated for possessing and using the bow and arrow as opposed to animal abuse.

“We cannot reveal anything at the moment because the case is under investigation,’’ said the police officer.

The man had shot and wounded the dog, which had stood at his gate and refused to move and one arrow lodged hit the front leg whilst another hit the back.

Animal lovers rushed the dog to a veterinary clinic where it received first aid before handing over the Rottweiler to canine welfare project Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB).

MDDB project manager Melinda Joy Gomez said the dog has been estimated to be about 12 years old and was also partially blind.

“She appears to be a lost dog and must have been trying to find her way home and gone to the shooter’s house after hearing voices coming from that direction,’’ said Gomez.

She added the dog had not moved away because it could not see.

“That’s also why the dog stood at the same spot as the man shot his arrows at it,’’ she added.

According to Gomez, the dog has since been admitted to a veterinary clinic and found to be anaemic and suffering from tick fever and heartworm.

“He had shot his arrows at an old, blind and very very sick dog,’’ said Gomez.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Traditional Malay Archers Association (Pertama) has voiced its unhappiness over the man’s conduct.

“He has given the sport a bad name and violated all of its code of ethics by shooting at a poor and defenceless animal,’’ said its president Muhamad Akmal Mohamad Dahlan.

Muhamad Akmal also said the man was not a member of his association.

“We condemn his actions and urge the relevant authorities to initiate the necessary action against him,’’ said Muhamad Akmal.

He said the incident had tarnished the image and reputation of archery enthusiasts in the country.

“The sport and art of archery denotes disciplines and is forbidden to be used to create pain and misery,’’ said Muhamad Akmal.