ALOR SETAR: Five people were injured after being bitten by two dogs in an incident at Taman Desa Bidara in Kuala Ketil near Baling on Tuesday (April 1) morning.
Baling OCPD Supt Azmi Mokhtar said the extent of the victims' injuries remains unknown.
They had yet to lodge a police report as they were receiving treatment at Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim in Sungai Petani, he added.
"We received information at 5.45am about two dogs roaming the area and attacking several people.
"Our personnel were dispatched to the scene to contain the situation and speak with the dogs’ owner.
"The 69-year-old owner later confined the dogs, and was instructed to surrender them to the Kulim Veterinary Office for examination and immediate quarantine,” he said in a statement.
Earlier, a viral social media post showed several individuals receiving treatment and being transported by ambulance after sustaining injuries from attacks by two dogs.
Meanwhile, Baling district officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahya, when contacted, confirmed receiving a complaint about the incident.
"It was reported that several individuals were injured, but the severity remains unclear.
"However, based on the viral images, the injuries appear quite serious. Since this is a recurring dog attack case, I have requested the Veterinary Office to conduct an investigation, and take appropriate action against the owner,” he said.
He added that the local authority can only capture stray or unlicensed dogs but in this case, the animals were not strays but domesticated dogs behaving aggressively.
"I was informed that the dogs were kept at business premises, but were housed at the owner's residence.
"They reportedly escaped from their cages before the attacks,” he added.
Yazlan Sunardie said he would talk to the owner to decide the dogs' fate, either placing them in a shelter or putting them down if they are deemed dangerous.
"Any action taken must follow the relevant guidelines and laws,” he said. – Bernama
