Trigger warning: The article contains content and mentions of animal abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.
Dogs are often called ‘man’s best friend’, but unfortunately not all owners love their pet dogs and sometimes subject them to unspeakable acts of cruelty.
A Rottweiler died a slow, painful death after its owner allegedly tied its neck to a leash and hanged it around a beam at his home, a sight which has shocked residents.
Rottweiler found hanging from a leash
The heartbreaking incident was brought to light in a Facebook post by Penang Hope of Strays (PHOS) founder Lim Shiang Mey on Friday (Aug 25).
In the caption, she wrote that she was notified of a Rottweiler which was found hanging from a leash at a house in Taman Impian Ria, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
After lodging a report with the Department Of Veterinary Services (DVS), she quickly rushed to the scene but didn’t find the dog or its owner. However, she found multiple scratch marks on the floor, suggesting that the Rottweiler had struggled to break free.
Rottweiler allegedly abused by owner
Speaking to Oriental Daily about the incident, Lim said she went to gather information of the dog’s whereabouts from neighbours and was informed of several shocking facts about the dog’s owner.
According to neighbours, the Rottweiler was six months old and was purchased for RM1,800.
The owner also allegedly beat the dog frequently and refused to let someone else take care of it when concerned neighbours tried to intervene.
“They also said the owner had reared other dogs in the past but they don’t know what happened to them after that,” she said.
As for the dog’s corpse, Lim said the owner had reportedly told a neighbour to dispose of it at a palm oil plantation. Thankfully, DVS officials were able to locate the corpse and brought it back for a post-mortem.
Owner claims it was an accident
Shockingly, Lim said the dog’s owner stepped forward after the incident went public and requested to speak to her, which she declined.
He even claimed to be a dog lover and that the Rottweiler’s death was an accident.
“I also firmly believe that the dog was subjected to abuse as the leash had no knots, yet there were scratch marks on the floor, indicating that there were signs of a struggle,” she said.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, those found guilty of animal abuse or neglects them are liable to a fine ranging from RM20,000 to a maximum amount of RM100,000, a jail term of 3 years, or both.
We hope authorities will get to the bottom of this and punish those responsible for the dog’s death!
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