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SHAH ALAM - A 24-year-old man accused online of being involved in the death of Rocky has denied the allegations, saying he has faced intense public backlash and death threats despite insisting he had no involvement in the animal's death.
Muhammad Shah Hizam said he did not support cruelty towards animals and was at the scene in Taman Telok Gedong Indah, Port Klang, on July 29 only to carry out an assigned duty.
“I am living under pressure, receiving a lot of backlash and death threats following Rocky's death. I do not support cruelty towards animals, let alone intend to injure or kill it and I was not involved in its death.
“I was there that night not to injure, let alone kill, any animal,” he said.
Speaking at a #JusticeforShah press conference in Bukit Jelutong here today, Shah said he was saddened by Rocky's death but maintained that he had no connection to it.
Also present were independent preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung and lawyers Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, Mahmud Jumaat and Akif Rusli.
Rafique said his client had attended the operation as a residents' representative after receiving a written invitation from the Rukun Tetangga Area (KRT) of Jalan Sama Gagah, Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Klang, to assist in an official operation conducted by the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK).
He said about 50 residents involved in the operation had been briefed by MBDK officers, including on how to catch stray dogs.
“All participants, numbering about 50 residents involved that night, had been fully briefed by MBDK officers themselves, who also showed them how to catch stray dogs.
“Besides that, the neck loop used during the operation did not belong personally to Shah, but was supplied by MBDK,” he said.
According to Rafique, the situation became chaotic after a woman claiming to be Rocky's owner arrived and attempted to prevent the dog from being taken away.
“Based on what Shah saw, the woman suddenly came, hugged and sat on Rocky's body, which was still alive at the time, to prevent the dog from being taken away.
“At that point, there was a tug-of-war while the loop was still around Rocky's neck. The situation became tense and very chaotic,” he mentioned.
Rafique said 12 other stray dogs were successfully captured during the operation without injuries, while Rocky was the only dog confirmed to have died following the incident.
He said a partially edited video that subsequently went viral resulted in Shah becoming the target of severe cyberbullying.
“The insulting accusations and threats have placed immense emotional pressure on him. Shah's face and identity were widely circulated, he was labelled a killer and animal abuser and some even wished misfortune upon his family,” he said.
He also disputed the authenticity of a viral X-ray image allegedly showing that Rocky's spine had been broken after being beaten, saying the legal team had been informed that the image was fake.
Rafique said the lawyers were documenting comments containing threats and defamatory statements on social media and would consider legal action.
“We will not hesitate to initiate civil legal action, including defamation suits against individuals or portals that provoke and tarnish Shah's reputation,” he said.
