Baling district officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahya said the decision was made after a meeting with the dogs’ owner and various state and district agencies.

Following the meeting, the owner, a 69-year-old man, agreed to surrender the dogs to the veterinary services department to be euthanised, reported Bernama.

“Both dogs were taken today and the health department will collect samples to test for rabies,” said Yazlan.

Yazlan said the Baling district office had also issued two fines to the owner for keeping dogs without a licence.

“So, this case has been resolved amicably with full cooperation from the dog owner,” he said.

Earlier today, FMT reported that several residents of Taman Desa Bidara in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, were demanding that the dogs’ owner be held responsible for the incident.

It is understood that the dogs had escaped from their enclosure before attacking the victims.

Meanwhile, Baling police chief Azmi Mokhtar said they recorded a statement last night from the owner of the two dogs to assist in the investigation.

The man was then released on police bail as he suffers from heart problems and anxiety.

Police have also taken statements from all five victims, including two women, aged 28 to 74, who received treatment at various hospitals for injuries to various parts of their bodies.

A case file has been opened under Section 289 of the Penal Code for negligence in releasing dogs in a public place.

“We will complete the investigation papers as soon as possible and submit them to the deputy public prosecutor for further action,” he said.