KUALA LUMPUR — A 24-year-old man who took part in the controversial dog-catching operation in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Klang, has denied that he went to the site with any intention of injuring or killing Rocky, the dog that later died during the incident.
Muhammad Shah Hizam said he participated in the operation after receiving a written invitation from the Jalan Samagagah Rukun Tetangga to join residents and the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) in addressing complaints about stray dogs in the area.
He said he was saddened by Rocky’s death and stressed that he did not condone animal cruelty.
“I do not support any form of cruelty towards animals and I was not there that night with the intention of injuring or killing any animal,” he told reporters at the #JusticeforShah press conference in Shah Alam today.
His lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, meanwhile, dismissed allegations that his client had acted as a vigilante who independently carried out a hunt for stray dogs.
He said such claims misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that Muhammad Shah had fully co-operated with enforcement authorities and investigators.
“This operation was conducted under the supervision of MBDK. It was not a case of people simply gathering together and looking for stray dogs.
“The operation was carried out following complaints from residents about stray dogs roaming in the neighbourhood and posing a risk to public safety,” he said.
Rafique said participants had received briefings from MBDK officers before the operation began, including instructions on the proper use of approved equipment such as catch loops.
He added that the loop used by Muhammad Shah during the operation was supplied by MBDK and was not his personal equipment.
According to Rafique, 12 dogs were successfully captured that night and remained alive, with Rocky being the only dog confirmed to have died.
However, the circumstances surrounding Rocky’s death have been disputed, with MBDK and the participants offering differing accounts of the incident.
MBDK mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain had previously said the operation involved 11 council enforcement personnel and around 50 residents, and was conducted according to standard operating procedures set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
He said approved equipment, including catch loops and nets, was used during the exercise.
Abd Hamid said the incident happened while personnel were attempting to capture the 13th dog, when a woman claiming to be Rocky’s owner struggled to free the animal.
He said the struggle resulted in Rocky being strangled.
MBDK has maintained that the operation was carried out following multiple complaints from residents about stray dogs in the neighbourhood, including an incident where a motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident allegedly involving a stray dog.
Rafique, however, said MBDK officers were present during Rocky’s capture and disputed the account of events.
He claimed the woman who later identified herself as Rocky’s owner arrived after the catch loop had already been placed around the dog’s neck and attempted to prevent it from being taken away by holding onto Rocky.
“In that situation, a tug-of-war took place while the loop was still around Rocky’s neck, causing the situation to become tense and chaotic,” he said.
Muhammad Shah also claimed that Rocky did not have an identification tag when the dog was captured.
He said the woman was later asked to provide details regarding Rocky’s ownership and licensing status, but he did not see any licence being presented at the time.
The incident has since drawn widespread public attention, with animal rights groups and members of the public demanding accountability over Rocky’s death.
Police have also recorded statements from two MBDK officers as part of their investigation into the matter.
The conflicting accounts remain under investigation, with MBDK saying it would wait for the outcome of the police probe. – August 13, 2026