KUALA LUMPUR: A self-employed man was fined RM7,000 in default of five months' jail for slashing a dog with a machete last year.
Judge Manirah Mohd Nor meted out the sentenced against Amir Abd Salim Meor Lope, 52, after he pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to the animal.
He committed the offence behind a car workshop at Jalan Miri, Taman Beringin, Jinjang Utara here, between Jan 4 and 5 last year.
The charge was framed under Section 44(1)(d) of the Animals Act 1953, which carries a fine of not more RM50,000, a maximum one-year imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Amir had, on Nov 15 last year, claimed trial to causing unnecessary pain or suffering to the dog, per Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
The offence carries a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000, a three-year jail term, or both, upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) received a report that members of the public had found the remains of seven dogs, believed to have died due to poisoning, near Taman Wahyu Dua near Batu Caves.
The complainant also found another two dogs, one dead, while another female mongrel had suffered slash injuries on its feet and body.
Based on a tip-off, a team of undercover VSD officers went to the scene and was brought to Amir's chicken coop behind a car workshop in Jalan Miri, Taman Beringin.
Amir, who was not aware of the sting operation, told the officer that he had slashed several dogs that came to his chicken coop using a machete.
VSD officers then returned to Amir's chicken coop with the police to conduct a search and found a machete believed to have been used by Amir to slash the dog.
Earlier, counsel Chris A Chong, who represented the accused, told the court that they (the prosecution and defence) had come to an agreement on Amir's guilty plea after the latter agreed to pay a RM7,000 fine.
"This agreement was done through a negotiation declaration form that was mutually agreed to," he said.
VSD prosecuting officer Hasiah Musa confirmed the matter.