TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Singer-activist reports animal abuse to police

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, April 28, 2017

Share This Article

Change Size

Singer-activist reports animal abuse to police Singer and activist Melanie Subono sings during the 10th commemoration of Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on January 19. The 477th Kamisan reached its 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. (JP/Seto Wardhana.)

S

inger-cum-activist Melanie Subono filed a report on suspected animal abuse and negligence allegedly committed by animal foundation Animal Defenders Indonesia owner Doni Herdaru Tona to the Jakarta Police on Thursday.

Explaining the case, Melanie said she entrusted her five dogs to Doni’s shelter for care around July last year. “Only four of them were returned to me. Since then, I’ve been trying to get my dog back,” she said.

Melanie claimed Doni kept avoiding her and gave her unclear reasons when she demanded to see her 8-year-old pug named Nina. “Even after I posted my story on Instagram and wrote an open letter, he remained unmoved.”

Melanie never received any clarification from Doni, whereas she heard news from her friends that her dog had escaped, was tortured and had died.

She also showed several pictures, which showed other animals in the shelter that had been neglected.

Melanie also reported to the police that despite the money given to the foundation by its benefactors, no financial reports had ever been released.  

The Jakarta Police confirmed they had received the report. Should their investigation prove the allegations, Doni will be charged with Criminal Code Article 302 on animal protection and Article 372 on embezzlement, the police said. (dea/ebf)

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.