Justice For Rocky: Owner Speaks Up, Selangor DVS Says It's Now In DPP's Hands

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The investigation into the death of a dog named Rocky near Port Klang, Selangor, has been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s (DPP) Office for further review.

The Selangor Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said the investigation papers were submitted to the office on 5 August for scrutiny and consideration.

In a statement, DVS Selangor said it had also submitted several recommendations regarding the outcome of the investigation to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.

“Further action will be taken by DVS Selangor after further instructions are received from the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office,” it said.

The department also urged the public to remain calm and allow the authorities to carry out their duties in accordance with due legal process.

DVS Selangor stressed that the investigation was being conducted transparently and fairly, without being influenced by views or statements made independently by unrelated parties, either directly or indirectly.

It said the investigation was instead based on available facts and evidence, in accordance with existing laws.

The death of the dog recently went viral on social media, prompting public concern and calls for the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

DVS Selangor said it would provide further updates after receiving instructions from the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Rocky’s owner admitted there was no dog licence and was willing to surrender the canine

During a press conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday (5 August), the woman who claimed to be Rocky’s owner said she hopes the investigation into her beloved dog’s death will be executed with full transparency, so that she and her family may find justice.

She said she is leaving the investigation fully to the DVS and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), while choosing not to comment outside of the investigation process.

“I will wait for the DVS report. When the report is out, I hope justice will be served to Rocky,” she said during the press conference.

The dog’s owner, S. Roghini Devi recounted the experience in her own words, describing how Rocky was already in a dog snare when she returned home on the night of the incident.

The mother of two said she told the individuals on the scene that Rocky has an owner, and that she was willing to surrender the dog to the authorities herself.

“If you want to take Rocky, I can bring him myself. I admitted that Rocky had no licence, but I begged them many times to release him from the snare,” she said.

She then claimed that her pleas were ignored, and she attempted to cut the snare after she asked one of her daughters to fetch a pair of scissors who, in the tense situation, brought a knife instead. Roghini’s attempt to cut the snare failed as the braided cable rope was too tough to cut through.

According to Roghini, the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) arrived a few minutes later and she claimed that after the snare around Rocky’s neck was released, he was already dead.

Rocky’s death sparked conversations about stray animal cruelty and population control

Rocky died on the night of 29 July, while MBDK was carrying out an operation to capture stray dogs in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah.

Animal welfare group Stray Animal Feeders of Malaysia (SAFM) earlier claimed that Rocky was beaten, restrained with a rope around his neck, and dragged, despite please from his owner to let him go.

A video of the incident, showing the owner begging for her dog’s release, quickly went viral and sparked the hashtag “Justice for Rocky”.

A counter narrative also emerged where a resident of the area claimed that Rocky’s owner caused the dog’s death from attempting to pull him out of the snare.

Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, also condemned the incident, stressing that no one is above the law regardless of their position – including government agencies and enforcement authorities.

READ MORE: How The Rocky Case Snowballed: Viral Outrage, Police Probe, Royal Statement

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