A 24-YEAR-old man at the centre of a storm over the death of a dog in Klang has denied killing the animal, saying he was at the scene as part of an operation to catch stray dogs.
Muhammad Shah Hizam, better known as Shah, said he had no reason to hurt the dog, Rocky, and did not condone cruelty towards animals.
“I do not support cruelty towards animals, let alone have any intention of hurting or killing one,” he said, adding that he was now under pressure after being subjected to public criticism and death threats.
Shah came under fire after a video surfaced online alleging that he had tortured and killed Rocky at Taman Telok Gedong Indah, Klang, on July 29.
He said he was saddened by Rocky’s death but maintained that he was only carrying out a task he had been asked to assist with.
“I did not go there that night with the intention of hurting, much less killing, any animal,” he said at a #JusticeForShah press conference in Bukit Jelutong here today.
Also present were independent preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung and lawyers Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, Mahmud Jumaat and Akif Rusli.
Rafique said Shah was not acting on his own during the operation and had been invited to assist as a residents’ representative.
He said Shah had received a written invitation from the Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Jalan Sama Gagah, Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Klang, to help with an official operation by the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK).
“All participants were briefed by MBDK officers that night and shown how to carry out the capture.
“The loop used to catch Rocky was also not Shah’s. It was supplied by MBDK,” he said.
According to Rafique, the situation became chaotic when a woman claiming to be Rocky’s owner intervened.
“From what Shah saw, the woman suddenly came over, hugged Rocky and sat on the dog to stop it from being taken away.
“There was a struggle while the loop was still around Rocky’s neck. Everything happened very quickly, and the situation became chaotic,” he said.
Rafique said the operation resulted in 12 other stray dogs being caught without any injuries.
“Rocky was the only dog confirmed to have died in the incident,” he said.
He said Shah was then subjected to intense online attacks after an edited video of the incident was circulated.
“His identity was exposed through doxxing, and he was labelled a killer. He and his family also received death threats.
“The abuse has taken a heavy emotional toll on Shah. His face and identity were circulated widely, with some even wishing harm on his family,” Rafique said.
He also disputed an X-ray image circulated online which was purported to show that Rocky had suffered a fractured spine after being beaten.
“We were told the image was fake. We do not know who it belongs to or where it came from,” he said.
Rafique said Shah’s legal team was compiling social media posts containing threats and defamatory claims.
“We will not hesitate to take civil action, including defamation suits, against individuals or portals that provoke the public and tarnish Shah’s reputation,” he said. – August 13, 2026
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