KUANTAN, MALAYSIA: Frequent sightings of crocodiles in Sungai Kuantan here have caused alarm among riverbank dwellers and fishermen.

Those who have sighted the crocodiles claimed that there were between three and four of them in the Batu Tiga area. The biggest is said to be about four metres long.

The reptiles are also believed to have eaten at least three dogs in the past two months.

Boat mechanic Heng Kwee Choon said he saw a crocodile attacking a full-grown dog recently.

"It was very frightening. The dog was quite big but it could not free itself from the crocodile's jaws. The crocodile was huge, about four metres long."

Heng, 35, said he and several other workers at the jetty dared not intervene as they feared for their safety.

"We heard that many people in this area had also complained about their missing dogs.

"I think stray dogs have also been attacked by the crocodiles while looking for food on the river bank."

Heng said the area near the jetty in Batu Tiga was a favourite spot for the crocodiles as the water was deep.

"The crocodiles have never attacked humans or domestic animals before. I think they are forced to look for bigger prey as they grow larger," said another mechanic who wanted to be identified only as Ah Long.

"You can see the crocodiles near the water surface or basking on the river banks almost every day."

Contrary to popular belief that crocodiles have become extinct here, villagers claimed that they could still be found in Sungai Kuantan and Sungai Belat.

Young crocodiles were also spotted in the ponds of the Pahang Royal Golf Course in Jalan Teluk Sisek here last year when Sungai Kuantan overflowed.

The Kuantan Municipal Council's mini zoo has been home to a handful of crocodiles caught at the golf course and nearby rivers.

State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Saharudin Anan said he would send his men to check on the alleged sightings of crocodiles at the Batu Tiga area.