A contract worker tasked with catching stray dogs in Batu Pahat, Johor, has been suspended after a viral video showed him making an obscene hand gesture at a woman who confronted the team over their treatment of the animals.
The incident occurred around 11.30am on Wednesday, 17 September, when several workers appointed by the Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) were conducting a stray dog-catching operation in a residential area. A 29-year-old woman, who was passing through the neighbourhood, accused the workers of mistreating the dogs and began filming them, FMT reported.
The video, which quickly circulated on Facebook, shows the woman scolding the workers before one of them flashes two middle fingers at the camera. District police chief Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani confirmed that the woman lodged a police report on Thursday, 18 September.
“Several contract workers appointed by the local authorities were conducting a stray dog-catching operation at about 11.30am. A misunderstanding arose between the workers and the woman, during which one of the workers made an obscene hand gesture at her,” Shahrulanuar told reporters, as quoted by The Star.
Johor state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the behaviour was unacceptable. “I immediately contacted state local housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor and the council president to express my views, understand the situation and coordinate the response,” Ling said in a Facebook post, as reported by NST.
The MPBP said in a statement on Friday, 18 September, that it would call in the contractor and animal welfare groups to hear both sides of the incident. “We take the matter seriously and will instruct the contractor to take firm action against the worker involved if misconduct was found to have occurred,” the council said, adding that every stray animal management operation must be carried out professionally and responsibly.
MPBP also reminded the public not to interfere with or provoke official operations conducted according to stipulated guidelines, while urging all parties to maintain mutual respect in addressing stray animal management issues humanely and effectively.
The council said the worker had been suspended from duty pending investigation, and that the contractor had been directed to take stern disciplinary action if wrongdoing was proven. Johor police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
