On 29 July, Malaysians were left heartbroken after a dog named Rocky tragically died following an alleged brutal attack by a group of men in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Port Klang, Selangor.
We previously reported that Rocky was allegedly beaten, restrained with a rope, and dragged despite desperate pleas from his owner for the men to let it go.
Man accused of killing Rocky finally breaks silence
In a recent development, the dog catcher who became the target of netizens’ anger has broken his silence, claiming that he’s now living under pressure after receiving online backlash and death threats.
Speaking at a #JusticeForShah press conference, 24-year-old Muhammad Shah Hizam expressed his sadness over Rocky’s death but stressed that he was only there to carry out an assigned duty and never intended to hurt or kill the dog, according to Harian Metro.
“I do not support animal cruelty, let alone have any intention of harming or killing an animal. I did not go there that night with the intention of hurting, let alone killing, any animal,” he said.
Muhammad shah hizam
According to his lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, Shah attended the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) operation as a residents’ representative after receiving a written invitation from the Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Jalan Sama Gagah, Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Klang, and did not act on his own accord.
Muhammad Rafique said MBDK officers briefed all participants on the operation and provided the neck loop used to capture the dogs.
“The neck loop was not Shah’s personal equipment. It was provided by MBDK. The situation that night became chaotic after a woman who claimed to be the dog’s owner intervened. Based on what Shah witnessed, the woman suddenly came over, hugged Rocky and sat on the dog’s body to prevent it from being taken away,” Rafique was quoted as saying.
“We will not hesitate to take civil legal action”
Muhammad Rafique also claimed that the operation successfully captured 12 other stray dogs without any injuries, with Rocky being the only dog confirmed to have died during the incident.
Following the spread of an edited video showing only part of what happened, he said Shah became the target of extreme cyberbullying.
“Shah’s face and identity were widely shared. He was labelled a killer and animal abuser, while he and his family also received death threats. Some even went as far as wishing harm upon his loved ones.
These defamatory accusations and threats have placed immense emotional pressure on my client,” he said.
Muhammad rafique rashid ali
Rafique also addressed an X-ray image of Rocky’s spine that went viral, which allegedly showed that the dog had suffered a fractured spine after being beaten.
“We were informed that the X-ray was fake. We also do not know who it belongs to, where it came from or how it surfaced.
We will not hesitate to take civil legal action, including filing defamation suits against individuals or portals that provoke others and tarnish Shah’s reputation,” he said.
Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ for more updates!
