Every single day, I’m heartbroken by the overwhelming number of animal cruelty cases and stories of beloved pets being abandoned like trash. The suffering that so many innocent animals endure is nothing short of horrifying. One story, in particular, captured the attention of animal lovers around the world and sparked a wave of emotion and outrage. It all began when a photo taken in Malaysia began to circulate online—an image so shocking, it instantly left viewers stunned and deeply saddened. But behind the viral image was a story few could have anticipated.
In 2019, the streets of Petaling Jaya, a city just outside of Kuala Lumpur, bore witness to a tragic scene. A dog, covered head-to-toe in green paint, was seen staggering through the neighborhood. He was clearly in distress, whimpering as he searched for food, weak from what looked like days without nourishment. His frail body trembled as he moved unsteadily, a combination of starvation and toxic exposure taking its toll. The thick coat of green paint not only made him look unnatural and alarming, but it also emitted fumes that seemed to be making him sick. The chemicals likely affected his breathing, made him nauseous, and triggered severe fatigue.
The photo of this poor animal quickly gained attention after it was posted by Shazreen Othuman, a woman from Petaling Jaya who had come across the dog. She was devastated by what she saw. “It looked like he hadn’t eaten in days,” she said. “He desperately needed help.” Shazreen shared the image on Facebook, pleading for someone to assist the suffering animal. Her post didn’t take long to go viral. Animal lovers, activists, and organizations across the globe responded with outrage and concern.
For many, it seemed unthinkable that someone would intentionally do this to an innocent dog. “It is totally inhuman,” Shazreen wrote in her post. “Anyone who has made this gesture must be mentally ill. It is totally inhuman to think of doing such things.” The message resonated deeply with others who were equally appalled. The story was shared far and wide, not just because of the disturbing image, but because it highlighted a serious issue—the mistreatment and neglect of animals that continues to plague communities everywhere.
In the post, Shazreen also referenced a statement from the Malaysian Association of Veterinary Pathology (MAVP), which warned of the dangers of paint exposure in animals. “The paint is very dangerous for animals,” the statement read. “It can also be lethal because it interrupts the respiratory system, causes nausea, dizziness, and skin allergies.” The warning only added to the urgency. If the dog didn’t receive immediate medical attention, he could die.
Thankfully, someone did step up. Just a few days after the original post, Shazreen provided an update on Facebook. She thanked a kindhearted individual who had located the dog and given him a thorough bath. The green paint was washed off using gentle shampoo, and the dog was taken to safety. According to Shazreen, the person who helped him acted just in time. The paint’s toxicity could have been fatal if it had remained on the dog’s skin much longer. For everyone following the story, it was a huge relief to know the animal had received the urgent care he needed.
But then came an unexpected twist. The dog, affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Greeny” by the online community, was eventually taken in by the MunMun Furry Sanctuary. The rescue center issued a statement clarifying the situation. Contrary to the widespread belief that the dog had been abused, the sanctuary explained that this was not actually a case of intentional cruelty. Instead, they claimed that someone had dumped green dye or powder at a local dump site, and the dog had rolled around in it. “Mr. Greeny has been rescued and is in safe hands now,” the sanctuary wrote. “He is not an abuse case so please stop the curse. Someone dumped the green dye/powder at the dump site and this doggy rolled over it. The color was washed off with shampoo. He is well-fed by the construction workers and healthy.”
It turns out the dog’s real name was Bocky. He had been hanging around a construction site and was apparently cared for by some of the workers there. One of them even gave him his nickname. The sanctuary emphasized that Bocky was not being abused and was in decent health aside from the unfortunate incident with the paint.
Still, not everyone was convinced by the sanctuary’s explanation. Some people on social media questioned how a dog could possibly end up completely covered in green paint just by rolling in it. Others criticized the construction workers for allowing Bocky to be exposed to hazardous materials in the first place. If they truly cared for him, shouldn’t they have taken precautions to keep him away from potentially toxic substances?
Regardless of how it happened, one thing remains clear: this sweet dog was vulnerable and in need of help, and thankfully, someone took action before it was too late. Bocky’s story reminds us just how important it is to remain alert and compassionate when it comes to the welfare of animals. Even when things are not as they first appear, animals like Bocky rely on humans to step in, speak out, and offer them the love and protection they deserve.
While we may never know exactly what led Bocky to end up in that heartbreaking state, what truly matters is that his story had a better ending than many others. Today, he’s safe, clean, and surrounded by people who care. And in a world where so many animals continue to suffer, that alone is a victory worth celebrating.
