KUALA LUMPUR: Police urged the public not to speculate on the recent deaths of three cats at Universiti Malaya (UM).
City police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said investigations found that the cats died from stray dog attacks.
He said three police reports had been lodged on the deaths, with the latest report received yesterday.
"There were no witnesses to the incidents.
"Closed-circuit television camera footage from the area revealed that a group of stray dogs attacked the cats.
"Police have referred the matter to the Veterinary Services Department.
"It was confirmed that the injuries on the cats were consistent with stray dog attacks," he said today.
Rusdi advised the public to refrain from speculating on the case to prevent unnecessary public concern.
Anyone with information on the case can contact the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999 or go to the nearest police station.
The public can file complaints on animal abuse to the Veterinary Services Department at awa.dvs.gov.my.
Rusdi said complaints would allow action to be taken against animal abusers.
Yesterday, Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail called for immediate action and a thorough investigation into the cat deaths at UM.
Wan Azizah, who is also the prime minister's wife, strongly condemned animal cruelty.
She said the authorities should ensure such inhumane and unlawful incidents do not recur.
On Dec 20, the UM management reported the cat deaths on the campus to the police to aid investigations and to ensure action is taken if cruelty is involved.
Two cats were found dead in disturbing conditions at UM's Faculty of Business and Economics on Dec 12 and 16.
Following this, the UM Student Union lodged a police report on Dec 17.
On Friday, a cat named Lily was found dead. Its four legs appeared to have been severed, and it had large wounds on its body.