Its director, Dr Saira Banu Rejab, said the department collected samples from the carcasses today for analysis and to determine the cause of death.

“No other materials have been found at the site as the Penang Island City Council has already cleaned up the area.

“Based on our investigation, the (deaths) occurred on July 5, and the carcasses had undergone decomposition, making them unsuitable for post-mortem.

“However, our officers will proceed with further analysis,” Bernama reported her as saying.

Penang Hill Corporation lodged a police report yesterday after several dead animals were found at various locations on the hill.

PHC general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the carcasses of seven dogs, three cats and five birds were found at multiple locations over the past few days, in open areas and spotted by the public.

“We suspect the main targets are the stray dogs. There have been claims by hikers and visitors in recent weeks that they had been bitten by strays,” he told FMT.