ISPCA Shelter Director Joey Foo (second from left) showing the bruise she sustained after allegedly being attacked by trespassers at the shelter. Looking on are Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau Chief Jimmy Loh (right) ISPCA committee member Jojo Foo (second from right) and Soong (left)
THE Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has lodged a police report against another animal welfare non-governmental organisation (NGO) for trespassing into its shelter and causing a ruckus.
ISPCA president Ricky Soong said a group of people from the other NGO entered its compound last Friday morning and began removing items from the storeroom.
He claimed that one of the trespassers had also attacked his shelter director and damaged one of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the premises.
“My shelter director found them trying to remove some cages and cupboards from the storeroom.
“She proceeded to record their acts with her mobile phone when one of the trespassers grabbed her arm to take away the device,” he said at a press conference.
“One of the trespassers also damaged one of our CCTV units, which recorded the act,” he said, adding that the report was lodged on the same day.
Soong said he called for the press conference to explain to the public what transpired as video clips of the incident had gone viral on social media.
“We need to clarify this as the things at the premises were bought with funds donated by the people,” he said.
Soong also said the whole incident was believed to have been caused after about 0.4ha of ISPCA’s 1ha land was given to Noah’s Ark Ipoh by the Batu Gajah District Office for its activities on April 18.
“The NGO sent us a letter on May 4, asking us to remove the things near the storeroom by May 18.
“However, they trespassed into our compound before I could reply their letter,” he said, adding that ISPCA is planning to take legal action against the other NGO.
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Ali Tamby confirmed that the police received a report on the matter.
“Investigations are ongoing under Section 448 and Section 427 of the Penal Code for trespassing and committing mischief and damage to property. No arrests have been made,” he said.
In a statement issued by Noah’s Ark Ipoh later, its past president Malika Ramiah Oates denied hurting the ISPCA shelter director and damaging the CCTV.
She said they had also lodged a counter report against the allegations made by Soong.
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