Witness in UM dead cats case gives statement

Summary

• Police record witness’ statement on series of stray cat deaths in Universiti Malaya.

• Session at Brickfields district police headquarters involving activist Shima Aris lasts an hour.

• Shima maintains claims incidents were animal murder.

Police this morning recorded a statement from a witness regarding the series of stray cat deaths at Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur.

Animal rights activist Shima Aris provided her testimony at the Brickfields district police headquarters in a session lasting approximately an hour.

“My client fully cooperated and answered all questions directed at her,” said her lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan (photo above), when contacted by Malaysiakini.

According to Rajesh, his client reiterated claims that the incidents were cases of animal murder, as the cats’ limbs appeared to have been severed with a sharp object.

He also expressed satisfaction that the police had reopened the investigation.

“My client hopes this case will be investigated transparently,” he added.

Possible human involvement

Previously, police stated that CCTV footage suggested the deaths of several cats on campus resulted from attacks by a pack of stray dogs.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) confirmed that the cats died from injuries sustained during the attack.

However, the Malaysian Stray Animal Association (SAFM) disputed this conclusion, arguing that the injuries on the cats were more consistent with the use of sharp objects, indicating possible human involvement.

In addition to the stray cats, the carcass of a dog was reportedly discovered near a residential college area yesterday, according to a Free Malaysia Today report.

In the latest development today, another report has been lodged about a stray cat allegedly killed at the university, marking the fifth such incident since the first on Nov 25.

Previously, the NewGen UM student group had raised concerns about campus safety following these incidents.

“If these cases are deliberate acts of cruelty, the perpetrator clearly lacks basic humanity and could pose a threat not only to stray animals but also to the safety of UM students,” the group said.

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