Dog trapped on the rooftop of Penang apartment for a week dies

A dog that had been trapped on the rooftop of a 17th-floor apartment in Penang for a week, sparking a multi-agency rescue effort and concerns from Malaysians, has died.

Penang Animal Welfare Society (4Paws) said on Aug 28 the canine could have slipped and fallen to its death following heavy rain on the night of Aug 27, which went on into the next morning.

“We had all been praying for a miracle, hoping that rescue teams and volunteers could bring him down safely. But today, our hearts are broken. Perhaps the rain made the floor too slick, and in his confusion and fear, he slipped and fell to his death,” 4Paws said in a post on Facebook.

The multi-agency rescue attempt for the sand-coloured pooch, which was believed to have been stranded at the top of the high-rise residential building since about Aug 20, had transfixed Malaysians.

4Paws said it was first alerted to the situation on Aug 23.

It immediately sent a team to rescue the pooch, spending nearly three hours to entice the animal to safety, but despite their efforts, the dog kept bolting away in fear.

What began as an organisation’s rescue attempt then evolved into a multi-agency operation on Aug 25.

It involved officers from the Fire and Rescue Department, Penang Island City Council officers and Civil Defence Force, as well as volunteers from 4Paws, volunteer groups and animal lovers.

Despite the coordinated effort that often went late into the night, the frightened canine continued to evade capture and even refused food like fried and roast chicken laid out by rescuers.

Undeterred, rescuers created a larger opening by cutting through a metal door at the rooftop to allow the dog a potential escape route into a safe environment.

However, the dog remained hesitant, refusing to enter the room or designated traps laid out for it.

Rescuers also placed a wide wooden plank over one part of the roof as a makeshift bridge, hoping the dog would use it to walk to safety.

The rescue attempt captivated Malaysians, with many praising the rescuers’ dedication.

“May God bless each and every one involved in this noble work. Thank you so much from the depths of my heart,” wrote Ms Santha Kumari Balakrishnan on Facebook.

Many were also concerned about the welfare of the dog, wondering how it ended up on the roof and hoping for a happy ending.

Unfortunately, that was not meant to be.

“His story touched countless hearts. And now, though he is gone, we pray his soul has found peace away from the fears and struggles he faced here,” 4Paws said.