Case of Dog Killing in Bali: A Blurred Portrait of Indonesian Animal Protection

JAKARTA - News of animal cruelty to death is often condemned by all of Indonesia. The conscience of the perpetrators of cruelty is often questioned. The action is seen as rampant because the legal protection of animals is often considered trivial.

Take the example of the case of animal abuse to death on the island of Bali in 2023. A man named Fajar As'ad was upset with a dog that bit him. Fajar then retaliated by shooting and stabbing the dog. The atrocity was condemned by many parties.

Cases of animal abuse are increasingly common throughout the country. Animal abuse is often done for various reasons - animals are disturbing and dangerous. Unfortunately, abuse sometimes even leads to the death of animals.

The narrative takes place on the island of Bali in 2023. At first, Fajar As'ad walked from Udayana Hospital to Perum Puri Jimbaran, Kuta on December 25, 2022. His journey was then interrupted because a dog suddenly chased and bit Fajar.

Fajar then asked the local residents about the status of the dog. Residents confirmed that the dog was a stray dog, not a pet dog. The narrative was interpreted as a natural, emotional green light to commit abuse.

Fajar immediately took a wind gun and a machete / knife in his house. Fajar was looking for the dog that had bitten him at Perum Puri Jimbarang. The dog was also seen and Fajar immediately aimed with the gun. Fajar's shot hit the dog. However, because the dog was still able to save itself.

Fajar immediately chased after him until he entered someone's yard and took out the parang he was carrying. The dog was beaten to death. The incident then went viral and spread through social media. The excerpt of the persecution made all Bali residents angry.

The action, which is considered despicable, has attracted the attention of many people, from animal lovers to politicians. The atrocity was then condemned by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

"Animals have the right to a safe life free from persecution, injury, fear, or pain. The rules are clear in the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Law. Anyone who knows about animal abuse or abuse to the point of disability or non-productivity must report it to the authorities," said Francine Widjojo, Spokesperson for the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) as quoted by the psi.id page, January 7, 2023.

The case of Fajar's dog being beaten to death was condemned by many parties. They asked all law enforcement to take firm action to punish the perpetrators. The arrest is important because if there is no action, other animal abusers in Bali will emerge.

The South Kuta Police immediately took action to investigate the perpetrator. The culmination, Fajar could only be arrested on January 4, 2023. The police confiscated a number of evidence used by Fajar to kill the dog, from a 4.5 mm caliber Mouroder green air rifle to a machete.

The South Kuta Police confirmed that Fajar was upset because he was bitten by a dog for fear of rabies. He then took revenge by killing and bringing the dog's body home to be buried.

Fajar also had a rabies test, but the results did not indicate rabies. Fajar also admitted his actions and immediately apologized to all the people of Bali.

He was then threatened with Article 302 of the Criminal Code regarding animal abuse. The maximum sentence that Fajar could receive was three months in prison. The case then faded over time while stressing that protection of animals from perpetrators of animal abuse has not been considered serious.

"The perpetrator has admitted his actions and did not resist and explained all the events cooperatively to the police, and apologized publicly at the South Kuta Police," said South Kuta Police Chief, I Nyoman Karang Adi Putra, as quoted by lamandetik.com, January 6, 2023.