The Royal City Council of Klang (MBDK) has denied any breach of standard operating procedures (SOP) during the dog capture operation in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah that resulted in the animal’s death.
Klang Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the incident occurred after a struggle involving an individual who claimed to be the dog’s owner, disrupting the enforcement operation.
He said the officers had followed the procedures set by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, using approved capture methods such as a restraint loop or a net.
According to Abd Hamid, MBDK officers had successfully captured 12 stray dogs that night with the cooperation of local residents before the incident involving the 13th dog.
He claimed the dog would likely not have died if the individual had not interfered with the operation, adding that anyone claiming ownership should have followed the proper procedure to reclaim the animal after it was captured.
The mayor also said the individual initially claimed the dog belonged to them but later stated it was not their pet. He added that the matter has been handed over to the police, with two MBDK officers already called in to provide statements.
Abd Hamid stressed that capturing aggressive stray dogs requires appropriate restraint methods to ensure the safety of both enforcement officers and the public.
He also alleged that during the incident, officers were prevented from cutting the restraint after it tightened because the rope was being pulled, while a woman who claimed to own the dog allegedly threatened to harm herself.
The mayor said residents had been notified in advance about the stray dog operation through the local Residents’ Association (KRT), and the operation involved 11 MBDK personnel assisted by around 50 residents.
He explained that the operation was carried out in response to approximately 50 complaints about stray dogs every month, describing the issue as a serious public safety concern in the area.
Abd Hamid added that MBDK faces manpower shortages, with fewer than 20 officers available to handle stray animal complaints across Klang, while private companies have been unwilling to undertake dog-catching operations.
The incident, which went viral on social media, is currently under police investigation under Section 428 of the Penal Code for mischief by killing an animal.
