Rocky’s death: Delivery worker and dog owner plead not guilty to animal cruelty charges
A 24-year-old delivery worker and the owner of a dog named Rocky appeared in Port Klang Sessions Court today and pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges after Rocky died during a stray-dog capture operation last month.
Source: The Rakyat Post · August 20, 2026 at 5:59 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 AUGUST 2026 —
Listen to this article
DomainFork Audio · read aloud
A 24-year-old delivery worker and the owner of a dog named Rocky appeared in Port Klang Sessions Court today and pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges after Rocky died during a stray-dog capture operation last month.
Market Impact
Muhammad Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom and S. Roghini Devi separately entered their pleas before Judge Mujib Saroji on 20 August, denying causing unnecessary suffering to the animal in the early hours of 29 July along Jalan Sama Gagah 20 in Taman Telok Gedung Indah.
The prosecution alleges Shah strangled Rocky with a looped rope while Roghini pulled the animal. Both face a single charge under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which carries a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both if convicted.
During the hearing, the prosecution sought bail of RM20,000 each with one surety, surrender of passports, and monthly reports to the Selangor Department of Veterinary Services. The defence argued for lower bail, and the court set bail at RM6,000 each with one surety, ordered monthly reports to the DVS, and set 8 October for further mention.
The case stems from a 29 July operation by the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) after residents complained about stray dogs and public safety. The council said the operation ran from 8.30 pm to midnight, involved 11 personnel, one health officer, and about 50 local residents, and captured 12 dogs.
MBDK alleged that an individual tried to cut the snare with a knife and threatened self-harm if Rocky was not released, causing a struggle that prevented the loop from being loosened in time.
Rocky’s death triggered widespread public anger after footage of the incident circulated online. Roghini, who told reporters she had owned Rocky since August 2024, claimed she returned home to find her dog restrained and was struck with a wooden stick when she tried to intervene; her child was prevented from cutting the snare.
The Stray Animals Foundation of Malaysia, assisting Roghini, said Rocky’s remains were handed to the DVS for post-mortem and that a police report had been lodged. The DVS confirmed it had launched an investigation into alleged abuse.
Shah, who faced intense online backlash after the video circulated, denies any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said Shah had been invited by the local Rukun Tetangga to assist the council team and had been briefed on approved capture methods. The lawyer added that the loop used was council property and that chaos erupted only after Rocky’s owner intervened.
Shah’s side maintains that 12 dogs were caught that night and that Rocky was the sole fatality.