Crocodile attack at farm in Sandakan could have been avoided, says victim's sister

The incident where a crocodile farm part-time worker was attacked by the reptile last month could have been avoided if the farm is equipped with Occupational Safety and Health Standards, said a family member of the victim.

Carol Angkangon, who is the victim's older sister, said the farm where her brother, Rudy Francis Angkangon @ Asraf, 35, was risky and claimed that the farm did not have the necessary security features for its employees.

She said family members also regretted the inaccurate report by the media which implied that Rudy Francis was not a skilled worker and also for using pictures of the injuries sustained by her brother in the incident.

Rudy Francis had received training as an intern at the Lok Kawi Zoo in Putatan before going to the Samjaya Mini Zoo where he was with the education branch, she said in a statement here on Monday.

She said it was because of the success of the programme carried out by the education division of the Samjaya Mini Zoo that the crocodile farm offered her brother the job.

Rudy Francis was left with a crushed right forearm and a severed leg in the attack which occurred at 1.45 pm last Feb 20.

It happened when he tried to pet the reptile after feeding it.

The man was rubbing the crocodile on its snout when the reptile suddenly turned on him. -- Bernama