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A Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) officer has testified in the Magistrate's Court today, 14 May, that a senior citizen obstructed the council's dog-catching operation in March 2023
According to the New Straits Times, MBPJ public health assistant Azizul Azzim Norehan, 35, told the court that Patrick Khoo Kian Wui, 71, interfered in the operation two years ago by grabbing the loop pole Azizul was using to catch stray dogs along Jalan 18/17 in Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya.
"He held onto the iron rod so that the dog-catching operation could not be conducted," Azizul said, as the first prosecution witness and complainant in the case.
He was responding to questions from Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Leong Hui, who asked him to clarify his statement regarding the obstruction before Magistrate Shahril Anuar Ahmad Mustapa.
When asked whether the operation was conducted according to established guidelines, Azizul affirmed that it followed standard operating procedures
This included the use of a loop pole to capture stray dogs.
"During the operation, my colleagues and I wore green operation vests bearing the words 'Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kesihatan' and the MBPJ logo.
"The operation was conducted after MBPJ received complaints of stray dogs in the Jalan 18/17 area," he said.
Azizul also testified that Khoo had claimed the dogs were his and that he regularly fed them, although they had no collars or licences, and were found outside his home.
During the proceedings, the prosecution presented three CCTV recordings showing the altercation between the two men
Azizul confirmed that the individuals in the footage were him and Khoo.
The altercation went viral after a Facebook user uploaded video and photos alleging that Khoo had been manhandled and injured by the MBPJ officers while they were trying to round up some stray dogs.
Khoo lodged a police report against the city council on 24 March 2023, alleging assault and expressing concern for the seized dogs. He reported bruises and cuts to his neck and wrist.
However, on 31 March 2023, Khoo was charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant. He has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
Khoo, who suffered a minor stroke two months after the incident and now resides in a nursing home, appeared in court today in a wheelchair and had difficulty speaking
According to The Star, he is represented by lawyers Rajsurian Pillai and Tay Chee Fu.
After the proceedings, Tay informed the court that the defence was prepared to present its case and is expected to call upon four witnesses.
The trial is set to resume on 13 June.
Image via Dawn Chan/New Straits Times
