IPOH: A dog known as "Kutty" has died after being shot with an arrow in Selama here.
A 44-year-old suspect, who claims the dog had barked at and chased him, has been arrested.
According to police, the killing of the dog and the suspect's arrest both occurred on Sunday (Dec 22).
Selama OCPD Supt Sarudin Samah said the suspect, a clerk at an oil palm estate, was charged in Taiping on Monday (Dec 23).
“We received a police report on the incident... and on the same evening, we arrested the suspect.
“He pleaded not guilty in court, and is out on bail,” he said when contacted on Friday (Dec 27).
The issue sparked outrage from animal welfare groups with one of them, Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), taking to social media to condemn the incident.
Supt Sarudin said when police questioned the suspect, he claimed that the dog was always annoying him by constantly chasing and barking at him.
He said the dog was usually at the guard post of another estate, where the workers would feed it daily.
The estate was on the suspect's usual route, he added.
“On the day of the incident, the suspect was on his way home after a wedding dinner, when the dog started to chase his car.
“The suspect went home, parked his car, and came out again on his motorcycle looking for the dog.
“The suspect claimed it was dark, and when he shot the arrow he had no idea whether or not it hit the dog," Supt Sarudin said.
Acting Perak police chief Deputy Comm Zulkafli Sariaat said police received a report on the incident on Dec 22 at about 2.14am.
He said the report was lodged by a security guard who works at an oil palm estate there.
He said in the report it was stated that a dog belonging to the estate was bleeding, with an arrow pierced through the body.
“The dog died at the site after the arrow was pulled out.
“On the same day at about 4.30pm, police arrested a 44-year-old man, where a bow and five arrows were confiscated,” he said.
DCP Zulkafli said the case is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code.
He said the suspect was charged at the Taiping magistrate’s court on Dec 23, and was out on bail.
“The public is urged not to torture animals as it is an offence, and action can be taken under the law.
“If there are any incidences involving animal disturbances, people can contact the local authorities or the Veterinary Services Department for further action,” he added.
SAFM president R. Kalaivanan said when contacted that the dog died after it was hit by the arrow.
“Kutty suffered serious injuries and eventually died as a result (of being hit by the arrow). Such (an act)... challenges the basic principles of humanity,” he said.
Kalaivanan said action must be taken to ensure justice for Kutty.
He said this incident was a violation of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
“SAFM calls on any witnesses to come forward and assist in the investigation, and also to lodge a report with the Veterinary Services Department.
“Witness testimony is important in ensuring that appropriate action is taken against those responsible.
“Animal cruelty is still rampant despite various awareness campaigns.
"It is time to strengthen the law and ensure stricter and more effective enforcement,” he added.
