By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 19: The death of a stray dog in a tragic hit-and-run incident at Lorong Stampin 7 has sparked widespread outrage, with animal lovers and the public demanding justice and stronger animal welfare laws in Sarawak.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday (Jan 16), was captured on CCTV and later went viral.
The footage shows a driver of a Toyota Vios accelerating and running over the dog twice—once with the front wheels and again with the rear wheels—before fleeing the scene without stopping to check on the animal.
The dog succumbed to its injuries shortly after the incident.
This heart-wrenching case has prompted several concerned citizens to lodge police reports today.
Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen and his assistant, Michael Kong, accompanied the group to the police station to show their support.
“We are concerned about the video that went viral showing a dog being run over. Sadly, the dog died after the incident.
“We hope the police will swiftly carry out an investigation on the report,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Kong echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the urgent need to strengthen animal welfare laws in Sarawak.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the cruelty that still exists in our society. Sarawak must extend the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to ensure proper legal protections for animals and accountability for such acts of cruelty,” he said.
Animal welfare group Paws of Hope MY has also taken a stand, organising efforts to file a collective police report against the perpetrator.
The organisation highlighted the importance of public awareness and stressed that all lives, including those of animals, are valuable and deserving of protection.
“This is not just about seeking justice for the dog but about sending a message to society that cruelty against animals is unacceptable,” the group said in a statement. – DayakDaily
