A security guard at a housing complex in Gunung Sahari Utara, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, was severely injured after being mauled by a resident's pitbull dog on Thursday morning.

Sawah Besar Police chief, Comr. Mirzal Maulana, said other residents in the area had reported the case to the police.

"We received the report of the case. The incident started when the security officer called out the dog owner for not leashing the dog," Mirzal said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com. He added that the owner, not pleased by the officer’s warning, reportedly ordered the dog to attack him.

Mirzal said the police had visited the location to disperse an angry crowd that had surrounded the dog owner.

"We also told the victim and his wife that they could report the case to the police so they can take legal action," Mirzal said, adding that he had yet to confirm whether the victim had filed a report.

Separately, animal rescue organization Garda Satwa Indonesia secretary Anisa Ratna Kurnia said residents had demanded the owner leash the dog many times before the incident happened.

Anisa added that the pitbull had also savaged another dog to death on Nov. 18. Following the incident, Garda Satwa, along with other animal rescue organizations, had reprimanded the dog owner.

"We received no response from the dog owner. We were planning to take legal action against the dog owner, but a more serious case has arisen instead," Anisa said on Friday.

She called on dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs, adding that exterminating the dog should not be the solution. (ars)