BENTONG: Foul play has been ruled out in the death of an elderly man in front of his house at Taman Saga here during stray dog-catching operations here on May 24.
District police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said findings of an autopsy conducted at the Bentong Hospital revealed the victim died due to breathing difficulties.
He said police have received two reports on the incident which has gone viral on social media where the 79-year-old victim passed out and died near the stray dog-catching operation site.
"The first report was from a 55-year-old Bentong Municipal Council enforcement officer concerning the stray dog operation and a man who passed out near the operation area.
"Police received a second report from the victim's 53-year-old daughter the same day who was informed by a neighbour that her father collapsed and fainted in front of his house. The department has recorded the statement from all the complainant and several witnesses," he said in a statement today.
Zaiham said the victim died due to breathing issues and the case has been classified as sudden death.
Meanwhile, he advised the public not to speculate on the incident, upload inappropriate comments in the social media and incite racial tension.
He said witnesses are urged to come forward to assist police by contacting the Bentong district police headquarters operations room at 09-2222222 or any nearest police stations.
It was reported yesterday that the victim who was indoors had gone outside of his house gate after realising that members of the municipality's enforcement team had captured his dog about 5pm.
Bentong member of parliament Young Syefura Othman who visited the victim's family on May 25 urged the Local Government Development Ministry and local authorities to issue clear guidelines on procedures for stray dog-catching operations.
Meanwhile, Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Seri Johari Harun said there was no scuffle or provocation between the victim and the enforcement team as alleged in the viral news.