IPOH: Investigations into the suspected dog poisoning and killing incident near Tasik Cermin Eco Park here in February is still ongoing, says Dr Ahmad Shafri Hassan.

       The Perak Veterinary Services Department director said its investigators were still looking for more concrete evidence before putting forward the case to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further action.

       “We took a sample (from one of the dogs’ carcasses) to test for toxin but it came back negative. We have even looked at the CCTV recordings taken near the eco park but it was not helpful,” he said after a meeting with several community dog feeders and representatives from Noah’s Ark Ipoh (NAI) and PapanSouls at the department yesterday.

       “We could see cars but could not see the registration number plates clearly. Even if we can identify the cars and drivers, we still would not be able to prove that they committed the suspected poisoning.

       “We are still continuing our investigations to look for other evidence.”

       On Feb 26, about 20 stray dogs near the eco park in Gunung Rapat were believed to have been poisoned and killed.

       Dr Ahmad Shafri said just like the police, the department also needed concrete evidence to convince the DPP’s office to allow the case to start.

       On the latest incident where four dogs at Lahat Mines here were also suspected of being poisoned to death last Saturday, Dr Ahmad Shafri said the samples taken from all the carcasses were more conducive to test for toxin.

       NAI secretary Malika Ramiah Oates said she hoped the department would help with the neutering of stray dogs.

       “If the department can give a few slots a week for strays under a subsidised rate, it will help the NGOs so much,” she said.

       Paramjit Singh, a community dog feeder at Lahat Mines, said he would compile proposals from animal lovers and NGOs on resolving the issue with stray animals and submit these to the Perak Mentri Besar.