Ipoh: Police arrested a mechanic who allegedly assaulted his pet dog with a hammer at a housing estate in Taman Ria on Saturday. Ipoh district police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad stated that the incident occurred at about 8pm when the 42-year-old man became angry after being bitten by the animal.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the arrest followed a police report made by a complainant who witnessed a 43-second video recording that went viral on the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page. The video depicted a man assaulting a dog with a hammer at a housing estate in Taman Ria, Ipoh.

Further investigations revealed that the dog belonged to the suspect and had a valid license. The Perak State Veterinary Services Department rescued the dog for treatment and confiscated the shirt and weapon used by the suspect during the incident, handing them over to the police for investigation.

Abang Zainal disclosed that the suspect had four previous records related to crime and 17 for narcotics. The case is being investigated under Section 44 of the Animal Act 1953, which addresses the offence of mistreating and treason against animals.

The video, which was recorded by a woman believed to be a nearby resident, gained attention after being uploaded on the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page.