A tragic incident unfolded at the Kunak bus terminal when an elderly woman was fatally attacked by a pack of stray dogs in the early hours of Saturday (Jan 25). The horrifying event, captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV), has reignited concerns over stray dog management in Sabah.
The CCTV footage, timestamped at 1.49am, depicts the woman desperately trying to fend off 11 aggressive dogs before they overpowered her. The animals bit her repeatedly, tearing off her clothes in the process.
Kunak district police chief Supt Sabarudin Rahmat confirmed that authorities were alerted at approximately 6.30am when members of the public discovered the woman's body at the terminal.
"Our team found the deceased lying unclothed with multiple bite wounds on her hands, head, chest, waist, and legs," Supt Sabarudin reported on Monday (Jan 27).
Investigations indicate that the woman had no identification documents, and police believe she was not a local resident of Kunak. Her body has been sent to Tawau Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The case is currently classified as a Sudden Death.
The incident has intensified discussions on stray dog attacks in Sabah. Lahad Datu Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Dr. Anil Sandhu has urged authorities to take immediate action to prevent similar tragedies.
"This is a serious public safety issue. Local councils, government agencies, and animal welfare organizations must come together to find an effective solution," he said.
Dr. Anil, who reviewed the distressing CCTV footage, described it as unbearable to watch a second time.
"It was heartbreaking to see an elderly woman suffering such a horrific attack. No one should have to experience this," he added.
This is not the first fatal stray dog attack in Sabah. In November 2024, a two-year-old boy was killed by stray dogs in Kampung Sungai Tohok, Semporna. In a similar case in September 2022, a 29-year-old woman was found dead in Kampung Batu, Semporna, after a suspected stray dog attack.
Dr. Anil also highlighted other dangers posed by aggressive stray dogs, noting that motorcyclists have suffered injuries trying to evade them, and joggers in parks have also been attacked.
Source: TheStar
