KUALA LUMPUR: The Penang Veterinary Services Department has launched an investigation into an alleged act of cruelty against a cat after a picture of the incident went viral on social media.
Its director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab also said the department has also lodged a police report over the incident, which allegedly took place at Simpang Ampat, near Nibong Tebal in Penang.
"We lodged a police report yesterday and are trying to take custody of the cat, at least until investigations into the case are completed," she told the New Straits Times when contacted today.
She added that the case is being investigated under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
She was asked to comment on a picture that shows a car with a rope tied around its neck, seemingly hanging from the rear of a four-wheel vehicle.
The image has gone viral and sparked outrage among social media users, especially animal lovers.
It is learned that the owner of the vehicle in the incident and his friend, who is allegedly the owner of the cat, have been summoned by the department over the case.
Dr Saira Banu the public and the media to be patient as the department will hold a press conference to provide updates on the case in Penang at 3pm today.
It is learned that the owner of the vehicle and the owner of the cat have each lodged a police report.
In the report, the owner of the vehicle that he was not the driver of the vehicle when the incident occurred. The vehicle owner, in the report, also claimed he lent the vehicle to his friend.