Stray dog-catcher probed over obscene gesture

BATU PAHAT: Police have recorded the statement from an animal management contractor, a stray dog-catcher, following an alleged obscene and humiliating hand gesture directed at a 29-year-old woman during an operation in Sri Gading, Malaysia yesterday. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani revealed that the woman reported the incident at 2:02 am today, claiming the event took place around 11:30 am the previous day.

According to initial investigations, the woman was traversing a residential zone when she encountered several workers commissioned by the local council for the stray animal operation. A misunderstanding ensued between the two parties, leading to an obscene and degrading gesture from one of the dog-catchers towards the complainant, he reported.

The police are investigating the matter under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which pertains to the use of obscene, threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior. The individual in question has provided a statement, and the investigation papers will be forwarded to the Johor deputy public prosecutor for further action.

This follows a video of an alleged confrontation during a stray dog-catching operation in Sri Gading that garnered public attention, with the contractor's worker's conduct being a focal point of criticism.