PETALING JAYA • A Singaporean man caught on camera brutally attacking a guard dog in Selangor has apologised for his act, saying that he "snapped" after being "attacked" by the dog many times previously.
But the residents' association of Taman Melody in Puchong, the security guards working there and animal lovers are urging the authorities to ensure that action is taken against the man, Mr Terry Yee.
Mr Yee expressed remorse and claimed that he was in fact an animal lover.
"I went overboard. I do apologise that I went overboard and hit the dog to the point I shouldn't have," he told The Star in an interview on Friday.
The attack occurred last Sunday and a video clip that has gone viral shows Mr Yee falling off his bicycle while returning to the estate as the guard dog broke free of its leash and barked at him. This led to the violent beating.
He shoved away a female guard who tried to intervene.
During the interview, his pet dog sat on his lap and he claimed to own other animals such as cats, fish and birds.
"I love animals, but I just snapped that day," he said.
He said he lost his engagement ring just the previous day after being "attacked" by the dog, and the very next evening the same dog "attacked again".
"Prior to that, I was attacked another six times. They have the videos, but they only showed the one where I defended myself, to the point that I became the aggressor," he said.
He said he is is now eager to help the dog recover and get back on its feet.
"I am very eager to see what I can do to help the dog recover and rehabilitate. I have nothing against the dog, I really don't," he added.
But the president of the residents' association of Taman Melody, Dr Ignatius Augustine, wants Mr Yee to be punished by the relevant laws.
"We will give our fullest cooperation to the police and Department of Veterinary Services to ensure that the case against the perpetrator continues until he is duly dealt with," Mr Augustine said.
Canine welfare organisation Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better rescue coordinator Irene Low said: "We cannot allow such cruel treatment of dogs to happen. There are just far too many of such cases happening here."
The dog is under the care of residents in the estate.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
