NO GRUDGES: Family of senior citizen who was mauled advises dog owners to be more responsible
KUALA LUMPUR: THE family of a senior citizen who was killed by a dog hoped that his death would be a wake-up call to all other dog owners.
"My father's death should not be in vain. Dog owners should realise the huge responsibility they have if they own fierce dogs," said Yip Hon Mun, the eldest son of the victim, Yip Sin Hua.
Hon Mun was speaking to reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary where he was waiting to claim the body of his father who was attacked by a dog, said to be a crossbreed between an American Staffordshire and miniature bull terrier.
"My family is still in shock. It is our hope now that owners will be more responsible by taking all necessary measures to ensure their dogs do not pose a danger to anyone," said the 51-year-old Hon Mun, who runs a trading company.
"Anyone could have fallen victim to that dog."
He said his family does not hold any grudges against the owner of the dog, which answers to the name Beacon.
"The dog owner and her family visited my family yesterday to apologise and pay their last respects to my dad," said Hon Mun.
"We are leaving the investigations to the authorities and will not pursue the matter."
The victim, Yip, who turned 74 on April 28, was a retired signboard maker in the family-owned business.
On Tuesday morning, while out on his regular jog along Jalan SS19/5B in Subang Jaya, he was attacked by Beacon who had escaped from its owner's house.
"My parents had been living in the area for more than 20 years. My father was probably the only senior citizen in the area who still jogged at that age. He was well-known in the SS19 neighbourhood. He was a pleasant person with a big heart," Hon Mun said.
"I was the last person to speak to my father when I called him just before he went for his jog."
Witnesses said two people hit the dog on the head with an umbrella and a stick but the canine did not let go of its grip of Yip's neck. The victim was believed to have been killed on the spot.
Veterinary Services Department officials later sedated the dog before taking it away.
The dog is now under the care of the department, which will monitor its behaviour for two weeks, apart from checking for various diseases.
The owner of the dog, said to be a 25-year-old female accountant, is being investigated for causing death by negligence. She faces a maximum jail sentence of two years, a fine, or both upon conviction. Additional reporting by V. Shuman
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