KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened an investigation into alleged animal abuse at Flat Pandan Jaya here after a video showing a man dragging a cat in a large net went viral.
Ampang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azam Ismail said the incident occurred on Friday.
He said a resident had reported hearing loud noises from a cat outside her home.
"The complainant saw her neighbour, a man in his 60s, torturing a cat by placing it in a large net.
"She also saw the man dragging the cat from her floor down to the ground floor of the flat. The cat was then dragged for another 200m before being released."
Azam said the complainant, her husband and other residents followed the man and persuaded him to free the cat.
"The man, however, justified his actions by saying the cat often defecated in front of his home.
"A video of the incident was also shared on X by user @update11111, which has since garnered 563,000 views."
He said police were investigating the case under Section 428 of the Penal Code for mischief by killing or maiming animals and Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 for animal cruelty.
"If found guilty, Section 428 of the Penal Code provides for up to three years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act, the penalty includes up to three years' imprisonment, with fines ranging from a minimum of RM20,000 to a maximum of RM100,000."
"We are also conducting an investigation under Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act, which penalises communications deemed to be threatening, obscene or offensive with the intent to harass."
Azam advised the public against engaging in any form of cruelty towards animals.