PORT DICKSON: Eight cats and four puppies owned by an individual who rented a single-storey bungalow here had died due to starvation, say the police.
Port Dickson police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said these were the findings of a preliminary probe after reports emerged that an animal welfare group had saved 35 remaining dogs from the house on Sunday.
“The case has since been referred to the local council.
“We would like to advise animal lovers and pet owners to take good care of the animals failing which legal action can be taken against them,” he said in a statement yesterday.
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Supt Aidi Sham said police had also received a report on Monday from the local council on complaints made by residents at the housing area in Pasir Panjang.
“The residents had earlier filed complaints with the council about the barking dogs.
“The council then served the owner with a notice but he failed to take the necessary action until the dogs were saved seven days later by the group,” Supt Aidi Sham said.
On Sunday, Furrykids Safehaven, an animal rescue organisation, saved the 35 dogs after receiving calls for help from the public.
Its head Jeskiran Kaur Bhatt said her team had to cut padlocks to get into the bungalow.
An 18-minute video clip of Jeskiran and her team rescuing the animals from the house had also garnered attention online.
Jeskiran said 20 dogs were found within the house’s compound while the remaining were locked inside.
Concerned neighbours had been feeding the dogs in the compound but could not feed those inside.
She said her team had also buried the dead animals.
Jeskiran also appealed to the public to help the shelter provide food for and treat the rescued animals.
Furrykids currently has more than 2,000 dogs at its shelter here.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Kamarulrizal Mat Isa had said that his team was investigating the case.
He said action could be taken against the owner under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 if there was evidence to suggest animal cruelty or if the dogs and cats had been deliberately neglected.
