A heartbreaking case of animal cruelty has shocked Malaysia after a stray dog was found skinned alive in Tawau, Sabah, on Wednesday morning (March 19). The incident came to light when the Malaysian Stray Animal Association (SAFM) shared distressing images on their Instagram page on Thursday (March 27), revealing the dog's horrific injuries.

The photos showed the animal's back completely stripped of skin, with deep wounds exposing muscle and bone. According to SAFM's report, the poor creature also suffered severe damage to its right hind leg thigh muscle and an open fracture in its right ankle.

Despite being rushed to a veterinary clinic where it underwent nearly three hours of emergency surgery, the dog tragically passed away before doctors could complete treatment. Veterinary staff performed CPR and administered adrenaline injections in a desperate attempt to save its life, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.

The organization believes internal bleeding or organ failure from traumatic shock likely caused the death. By Friday (March 28), SAFM's post had been shared over 11,000 times and received more than 700 emotional comments from horrified social media users.

"The pain this innocent soul must have endured is unimaginable," one commenter wrote. Another demanded answers: "What kind of person could do something so cruel?" Many expressed grief through messages like "Rest peacefully now - at least your suffering has ended."

SAFM issued a strong condemnation of this barbaric act: "Skinning animals alive represents an unforgivable crime that civilized society cannot tolerate under any circumstances."

Under Malaysia's Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 Section 18, perpetrators convicted of such cruelty face severe penalties including fines up to RM100,000 (S$30,250), maximum three years imprisonment or both punishments combined.

The case continues generating widespread discussion about strengthening animal protection laws while authorities investigate this disturbing incident that has left many Malaysians heartbroken over such unnecessary suffering inflicted upon a defenseless creature.