Dog and Prison: Police Arrested A Man Who Used Mini Indonesian Flag As Animal Collar

Liputan6.com, Bengkalis - Police in Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, arrested a young man who put a mini Indonesia's flag as dog collar. He did that to celebrate the incoming of Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17. 

The man with initials RH is an official at a palm oil company in Bengkalis. He bought several Indonesian flags for the Independence Day on August 9. In his festive mood, he used one of them as a dog collar.

Everything seemed fine at first, but one of his coworkers demanded the flag to be removed from the dog, and RH refused. The video of the dog went viral on social media.

The situation escalated as RH was summoned by the police for allegedly insulting national symbol. RH said he did not harbor such intention. He officially became a suspect on August 11, and facing maximum of five years in prison and fine of Rp500 million (US$32,596).

Bengkalis police said that he found evidence in RH's flashdisk that shows the dog wearing flag on its collar. 

Why Only Dogs? 

The case created debates on social media. Celebrity lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea also raised questions about this case. He said that throughout the years, Indonesian flags are often used as decorations around animals, including on chariots for buffalos and horses, during Independence Day's celebrations.

"It has not been a crime so far, even that has become a custom. Please rethink. where is the criminal aspect?" said Hotman on an Instagram video which is addressed to Bengkalis police. 

"What if it's not a dog?" the lawyer added. 

Famous singer Maia Estianty wondered on her Twitter why dogs were singled out. She said she saw other animals using Indonesia's flag-themed accessories such as headbands and collars.

"There was a cat that used a headband, used a flag as the collar, it was fine. Why was it fine for elephants, chimpanzees also held a flag was fine, why dogs? Is the law inhibiting animal racism?" said Maia. 

Indonesia itself is a Muslim-majority country. Dogs are generally considered as dirty animals, although there are some Muslims who keep them as pets.

Syukur contributed to this report.