Police deploy K9 unit to hunt loose hunting dogs in Jasinga

Bogor Police have deployed a K9 team from the Animal Police Directorate of the National Police’s Security Maintenance Agency to hunt for hunting dogs on the loose in Jasinga District, Bogor Regency, West Java, following the death of a child attacked by wild boar hunting dogs. Bogor Police Chief AKBP Wikha Ardilestanto stated on Thursday that the sweep operation was launched to allay residents’ fears and ensure environmental safety following the incident that killed a boy with the initials MAS, aged 9, in a forested area of Jasinga. “We fully understand the anxieties of the Jasinga community at this time. Therefore, we have coordinated with National Police Headquarters and today launched a joint team from the Animal Police Directorate of the Police Security Maintenance Agency along with two K9s, Bogor Police, and Jasinga Police Sector,” Wikha said. The operation is focused on Sipak Village, Jasinga District. The joint team consists of 10 personnel from the Animal Police Directorate supported by two K9 tracking dogs, Bogor Police personnel, and Jasinga Police Sector members. According to residents’ reports, approximately 12 hunting dogs escaped their handlers’ supervision. To date, officers have captured four dogs and are still pursuing several others within the sweep area. To guarantee public safety, every hunting dog successfully captured is immediately evacuated to the Animal Police Directorate Headquarters at National Police Headquarters. “Our current focus is to sweep Sipak Village to secure the remaining loose hunting dogs. Once caught, these dogs are immediately evacuated to the National Police’s Animal Directorate so the residents’ environment is safe again,” he stated. In addition to on-the-ground security measures, Bogor Police are also strengthening the investigation process into MAS’s death. The Women and Children Protection Unit of the Bogor Police Criminal Investigation Unit has named a man with the initials Y as a suspect and owner of the dog believed to have bitten the victim to death. Wikha explained that investigators have examined 57 witnesses and seized 21 vehicles suspected to be linked to wild boar hunting activities. Police are also conducting forensic testing of evidence samples at the Criminal Investigation Agency’s Forensic Laboratory Centre using the scientific crime investigation method. Furthermore, Bogor Police are coordinating with the Livestock and Fisheries Service to ascertain whether there is any potential for rabies in the dogs involved in the incident. “Law enforcement through the naming of a suspect by the Women and Children Protection Unit is underway, and total security on the ground with the deployment of K9s is also being intensified. We ensure the Police are fully present, both for justice for the victim and the psychological security of Jasinga residents. We urge the people of Sipak Village to remain calm and go about their activities as usual because officers have cordoned off vulnerable points,” Wikha said. Y was earlier named a suspect in the death of MAS, who was fatally mauled by a wild boar hunting dog while fishing for eels with a friend in the Jasinga forest area. Police are charging the suspect under Article 474 paragraph (3) and/or Article 336 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. Investigators are still exploring the possible involvement of other parties in the case, including the activities of hunter communities that use dogs to hunt wild boar in the Jasinga area.