Sungai Buloh police chief Hafiz Nor confirmed the death after receiving a police report lodged by a medical official from Sungai Buloh Hospital, where the child was taken to but could not be resuscitated.

“Checks conducted on the victim found bite marks on his head and body,” he said in a statement.

Hafiz said an initial investigation found that the toddler was left in the care of his uncle while his parents were at work. When they returned, they found the gate open and the child missing.

“The victim was found less than 20 metres from his house, and his body was surrounded by a few dogs,” he said.

“The victim and his uncle were sleeping in the living room until the uncle was woken by the screams of the victim’s parents.”

Police are investigating the death under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for ill-treatment of a child.