The death of Rocky during a dog-catching operation in Port Klang has left his owner, S Roghini Devi, facing two separate charges in court. Roghini, who was reportedly trying to stop authorities from taking her dog during the tense July 29 operation, pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty and a separate charge of keeping Rocky without a valid licence.
Owner Says Rocky Was In Her Care
Roghini was first charged at the Klang Sessions Court with allegedly causing unnecessary pain or suffering to Rocky. Prosecutors accused her of “unreasonably” pulling the dog while a looped rope was around his neck during the enforcement operation at Taman Telok Gedung Indah.
According to the charge, the incident allegedly took place on July 29. Roghini denied the accusation when it was read before Sessions Court judge Mujib Saroji.
The charge was brought under Section 29(1)(e) of Malaysia’s Animal Welfare Act 2015. If convicted, she could face a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
The court granted Roghini bail of RM6,000 with one surety and ordered her to report to the veterinary services department every month while the case continues. Her next case management date was fixed for Oct 8.
Tense Struggle Over Rocky
The circumstances surrounding Rocky’s death have remained disputed since the operation. According to reports, the dog was being restrained by a loop when Roghini intervened because she did not want Rocky taken away.
Roghini has previously said she found Rocky unresponsive after the rope had tightened around his neck. The incident reportedly became chaotic as she attempted to stop the dog from being taken, resulting in a struggle over the animal.
A separate volunteer involved in the council’s dog-catching operation, Muhammad Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom, has also claimed trial to an animal cruelty charge relating to Rocky’s death. He is accused of strangling the dog with a loop during the same operation.
The prosecution has told the court that it intends to seek a joint trial for Roghini and Shah Idham because both cases involve the same incident and facts.
The Klang city council, however, has defended its officers and presented a different account of the confrontation. The council alleged that Roghini tried to cut the loop being used to restrain Rocky and threatened to harm herself if the dog was not released.
Second Charge Follows Days Later
After leaving the Sessions Court, Roghini appeared at the Magistrates’ Court, where she faced another charge concerning Rocky. She was accused of keeping the dog without a valid licence from the Klang Royal City Council.
Roghini again pleaded not guilty. The charge was brought under Section 3 of the Dog Licensing and Dog Breeding Establishment By-Laws, which carries a maximum fine of RM2,000, up to one year in prison, or both upon conviction.
Magistrate A Karthiyayini granted her bail of RM1,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 8 for mention. Lawyer Audrey Hoh is holding a watching brief for Roghini and Shah Idham’s cases on behalf of the Malaysian Bar, while lawyers Choo Dee Wei and Jeremy Vignesh are representing Roghini.
For Roghini, the court proceedings come after an incident involving a dog she was trying to keep from being taken away. The confrontation ended with Rocky’s death, leaving her facing criminal allegations while the circumstances of the fatal struggle remain part of the legal process.
The case has also attracted wider public attention because of the footage surrounding Rocky’s capture and the conflicting accounts of what happened. For now, Roghini remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty, while the courts will determine the allegations against her and the volunteer involved in the operation.
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