Most of you probably remember the viral video that was uploaded over social media, showing a man and an auntie trying to protect a stray dog from being cruelly manhandled and dragged away by MPSJ officers. If you don’t, then you just need to click here and read all about it lah. For any of you who are interested in adopting the dog, you can actually visit the pound and do so, because the cute pooch is looking for a good home!
But the man in the video who was visibly trying to tell the MPSJ officers to be gentle with the poor animal has wound up in hot water, because according to a report by the New Straits Times, he will be charged by the court tomorrow for his actions!
While most of the Internet has rallied behind the man for trying to stop such a cruel act of abuse on a stray animal that doesn’t appear to be at all aggressive without provocation, the local magistrate court doesn’t seem to agree.
By tomorrow (18th October 2019), the man will be charged for obstructing the public servants from carrying out their duties.
Members who are working with the Lawyers for Animal Rights (LAR) said that 47-year-old Koh Tat Meng will be charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code (Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions) by 9am on Friday. This means he could be slapped with a jail term of up to 2 years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both. They also said that they will be staging a protest at the court building in support of Koh.
“He was only pleading with the MPSJ officers to show some mercy in dealing with the dog known as Bruno Puchong,”, a representative added.
The activist group had also criticised the local police for allegedly practicing selective prosecution when investigating the case, saying that those responsible for the brutal attack on the stray dog have managed to escape prosecution entirely, despite their actions.
In addition, they pointed out that Koh had previously lodged a police report against the MPSJ officers, but the police neglected to follow up on the report and call upon him for a statement.
Recently, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin who acts as the Royal Patron of Stray Free Selangor, expressed her disappointment and sadness over the harsh violence committed by members of the MPSJ, saying that she had received an apology from state Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development executive councillor Ng Sze Han over the conduct of MPSJ staff members.
What do you guys think about this verdict? Do you think the court ruling is fair?
Also read: Stray Doggo That Was Violently Captured by MBSJ is ALIVE, Up For Adoption At Pound