KUANTAN: The authorities need to issue clear guidelines on dog catching procedures, says Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman following the death of an elderly man in an alleged struggle with dog catchers.
Young Syefura urged the Local Government Development Ministry and all local authorities in the country to clearly indicate the process of handling stray dog-catching operations immediately.
ALSO READ: Elderly man dies saving pet from dog catchers
"This is to prevent unwanted incidents such as disagreements that can become worse and lead to altercations between local authorities' enforcers and residents or individuals who feed stray dogs," she said in a statement.
It was reported that Law Sei Kiew, 85, died when he was allegedly involved in a tug-of-war with Bentong Municipal Council dog catchers who came to remove his pet dog.
Law fell into a drain in the struggle and was pronounced dead after an ambulance was called.
Young Syefura said she had visited the family of the deceased and expressed her condolences but she did not wish to comment further on the incident.
The police and the Bentong Municipal Council would issue their statements regarding the incident, she added.
"I also call on the media to give space to the family of the deceased and stop speculating about what happened," said Young Syefura.