BENTONG: A DAP lawmaker urged the Local Government Development Ministry and local authorities to issue clear guidelines on procedures for stray dog-catching operations.
Bentong member of parliament Young Syefura Othman said this was needed following the death of an elderly man while allegedly trying to save his pet dog here on Wednesday.
She said the ministry and local authorities must come forward to list out procedures in the handling of stray dogs during round-up operations.
"This is to prevent untoward incidents such as disagreements which might lead to worse scenarios and scuffles between enforcement officers and residents or individuals who feed the stray dogs," she wrote on her Facebook page.
Young Syefura had earlier visited the family of 85-year-old Huang Yunhong who died while allegedly trying to stop Bentong Municipal Council (MPB) enforcement officers from leaving with his pet dog outside his house in Taman Saga near here about 5pm on Wednesday.
She expressed her sympathy to the victim's family.
"The police and Bentong Municipal Council (MPB) will issue a statement on the incident. I urge the media to give the victim's family space and stop speculating about the incident," she said.
It was reported yesterday that Huang who was indoors had gone outside of his house gate after realising that members of the municipality's enforcement team had captured his pet dog.
When enforcement team members tried to take the dog away, a struggle ensued between Huang and the team and he suddenly collapsed and fell into a drain. He died minutes later.
Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Seri Johari Harun said MPB will be issuing an official statement on the incident today.
On March 22, a 69-year-old man was involved in a tussle with Petaling Jaya City Council enforcement officers while trying to protect his dogs during an operation to round-up strays in that city.
On March 31, the senior citizen was charged at the Petaling Jaya magistrate's court with obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty. He claimed trial.