19-6-2023 (JAKARTA) A distressing video depicting the horrifying act of throwing a live stray dog into a swamp, where it was subsequently devoured by a crocodile, has gone viral on social media platforms.
The video captures two individuals tossing the helpless dog into the crocodile-infested waters while another person records the appalling incident.
According to CNN Indonesia, the police have successfully identified the three suspects involved in the incident.
Moreover, the individuals responsible have been dismissed from their employment by the company they worked for.
In the video, two men, donning company uniforms, are seen holding the dog by its head and back. They proceed to swing the dog back and forth, while the person recording the video audibly counts to three. With callous laughter in the background, the dog is ruthlessly thrown into the swamp, where it cries out in distress as it struggles to stay afloat.
The footage sparked outrage among animal lovers’ communities in Indonesia, prompting them to report the case to the police as soon as the video began circulating online.
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Doni Herdaru, the head of Animal Defenders Indonesia, stated in a press release on Friday (Jun. 16) that the organization will travel from Jakarta to Tarakan to formally report the animal abuse to the local police. They have also managed to identify the three individuals seen in the video.
“All that remains is to verify the information. If they confess, their statements can be used as evidence as well,” Doni said.
CNN Indonesia reports that the police have named the three suspects as DF, SR, and WA. The investigation revealed that the perpetrators committed this heinous act out of frustration over their food being repeatedly stolen and consumed by the stray dog.
As the maximum penalty for their crime is a nine-month prison sentence, the suspects were not immediately arrested or detained. Under Indonesian criminal law, individuals can only be detained if the offense carries a punishment of five years or more imprisonment. The three men have been charged under the Criminal Code concerning animal husbandry and animal health.
Additionally, the three perpetrators have been terminated from their positions at PT Jaya Mimika Lestari (JML), a construction equipment supplier company, as reported by Detik. Djamal W, the main director of PT JML, emphasized that the company does not condone the actions of the three men, who worked as drivers of heavy equipment such as water tank trucks and winch trucks, as well as crane operators.
Although the video shows the perpetrators wearing their company uniforms, the incident occurred outside of working hours. The company has entrusted the relevant authorities with full jurisdiction over the legal proceedings.
“While awaiting the legal processes, we will terminate the employment of the [three suspects], in accordance with labor laws,” stated Djamal, as quoted by Detik. He also expressed apologies on behalf of the company for the reprehensible actions of its former employees.
“We, as a company, apologize for this incident caused by our irresponsible employees,” he added.
