PETALING JAYA: Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, has expressed sadness, disappointment and anger over the recent case involving a dog named Rocky that was allegedly beaten, strangled and dragged to its death by a group of men in Klang.
Her Royal Highness condemned cruelty against animals, including pets and strays.
As Royal Patron of the Stray Free Selangor initiative under the Selangor SPCA, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said acts of abuse, injury, killing or cruelty towards animals were not only against the law but also reflected a failure to uphold compassion and humanity.
"No form of animal cruelty would be accepted or tolerated, regardless of who committed the act, their position, race, religion or the reason given.
"The principle applied to all parties, including individuals, organisations, companies, government agencies and enforcement authorities. No one was above the law," she said in a statement on Saturday (Aug 1).
She added that the rakyat's confidence in enforcement institutions would only be upheld when their actions are carried out with professionalism, integrity and compassion.
She also reiterated calls for the government, local authorities, relevant agencies and the public to work together to strengthen animal welfare, promote humane rescue and management practices, foster compassion through education and community involvement.
She also called for compassion to be made a key principle in animal management policies.
"The way society treated animals reflected its humanity and a society that fails to show compassion towards the weakest creatures would ultimately lose compassion towards fellow human beings," she said.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also urged the Federal Government to review penalties under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 so that punishments for animal cruelty offenders would be strengthened and enforced more consistently.
"Compassion is not a sign of weakness. The ability to protect the weakest among us is the true measure of the strength, maturity and civilisation of a society," she said.
On Wednesday (July 29) a group of men beat and strangled a dog to its death in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Port Klang, alleged Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM).
"The owner pleaded for Rocky to be released and returned to him, but he was ignored.
"Rocky remained in the noose until he stopped moving and eventually died in front of his owner," the group said in a statement on Friday (July 31).
The group also alleged that two officers from the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) were present.
On Friday, MBDK said it was leaving the matter entirely to the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident that resulted in the dog's death during the operation.
It said an operation was carried out on Wednesday between 8.30pm and midnight following formal complaints from residents over safety concerns arising from an increasing number of stray dogs in the area.
MBDK said the enforcement operation was conducted in accordance with By-law 17(1) of the MPK Dog Licensing and Breeding Kennels By-laws 2007, with the support of the health, community and sustainable development committee and that the local councillor had been duly informed before the operation.
