GEORGE TOWN: A retired teacher claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today for unreasonably causing pain and suffering to a cat last November.
Cosmos Chong Say Hun, 79, made the plea after the charge was read to him by the court interpreter before Judge Mazdi Abdul Hamid.
Chong was charged with throwing a 3.5ft sharp metal rod at a female cat that was white with black spots, in the compound of a house in Lengkok Tembaga, Island Park here about 6.40pm on Nov 15, last year.
He was charged under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772) which provides a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or jail up to three years or both upon conviction.
Ng was represented by counsel Simon Murali while Veterinary Services Department (VSD) prosecuting officer Roziman Awang Tahrin prosecuted.
Ng was released without bail. Mazdi set April 19 for mention
The cat in the case, which has since been named Baby, was brought to court this morning. She is currently paralysed.
Prior to this, social media was abuzz with news of the senior citizen injuring the cat with a metal rod.
He was said to have acted that way after he alleged the cat had dirtied his lawn.
This is the second animal abuse case brought to court this month.
Last Tuesday (March 9), a senior citizen claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Butterworth with unreasonably causing pain and suffering to a dog last October.
Ng Ah Leak, 75, was charged with using an eight foot-long yellow bamboo stick to poke a white female dog below its left eye, inside a drain behind a house in Taman Tanjung Indah, Raja Uda here at about 10.30pm on Oct 24, last year.
He was charged under Section 29(1)(e) of the same Act, punishable under Section 29(1), which provides a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or jail up to three years or both upon conviction.