KLANG – A housewife and a delivery man linked to the death of a dog named Rocky have claimed trial at the Sessions Court here after being charged separately with causing pain to the animal during a dog-catching operation last month.
S Roghini Devi, 42, and Muhammad Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom, 24, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Sessions Court Judge Mujib Saroji today.
Roghini, who is said to be Rocky’s owner, was accused of unlawfully pulling the male dog, while Muhammad Shah was charged with allegedly choking Rocky using a loop restraint during the incident.
The alleged offences took place in front of a house along Jalan Sama Gagah, Taman Telok Gedung Indah, Port Klang, between 11pm and 11.30pm on July 29.
Both were charged under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which provides for a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both upon conviction.
During the proceedings, prosecuting officer from the Selangor Veterinary Services Department, Mohd Sharif Sabran, sought bail of RM20,000 for each accused with one surety.
He also proposed that both surrender their passports to the court and report monthly to the Selangor Veterinary Services Department.
However, Muhammad Shah’s lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, urged the court to reduce the bail, arguing that his client posed no flight risk.
He also objected to the additional conditions, describing them as unduly restrictive before the case had gone to trial.
Roghini’s lawyer, Jeremy Vinesh Anthony, also sought a lower bail, highlighting that his client was a mother of four and that her husband is a person with disabilities.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Judge Mujib Saroji granted bail of RM6,000 for each accused with one surety.
The court also ordered both accused to report once a month to the Selangor Veterinary Services Department, with the case fixed for mention on Oct 8.
The case has attracted public attention following Rocky’s death during an operation to catch stray dogs in the Port Klang area.
Police had earlier opened an investigation into the incident, with the dog’s remains sent to the Selangor Veterinary Services Department for a post-mortem examination. -MalayaDailyToday
