KULIM: Md Yusof Majid, 66, cut a lonely figure as he sat on the bench, waiting for his name to be called to appear in the magistrate's court here today.
For a moment, the school gardener was seen wiping his tears as he faced up to three years' imprisonment for causing harm to a stray dog on Sunday.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of causing mischief to a stray dog by tying up the canine's feet and dragging it with a motorcycle.
He committed the offence at about 7.30am at SMK Junjung here on June 9, 2024.
The charge was framed under Section 428 of the Penal Code, which carries up to three years' jail, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Earlier, a 134-second video of the accused committing the act went viral on social media.
In the video, the dog was seen suffering from serious injuries after being dragged out of the school compound.
The posting, uploaded by an animal rights group, has caused an uproar among the public.
In mitigation, lawyer Amir Hamzah A Rahman who appeared for the accused, pleaded for leniency as it was Yusof's first offence, and he has saved court time by pleading guilty to the charge.
Amir also informed the court that the accused was suffering from a heart ailment, seizure and hypertension.
"The accused is a school gardener who is supporting a wife and a child with his monthly income of RM1,500.
"The accused is pleading to be spared from a jail sentence as he is the sole breadwinner of the family," he told the court.
Amir added that the accused had resorted to such an act to stop a group of stray dogs from menacing the school and posing harm to the students.
"However, he has admitted his mistake in taking matters into his own hands instead of getting help from the Veterinary Services Department," he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Jin Hong who prosecuted the case, advocated for a stiff punishment to serve as a lesson for the accused and the public.
The accused, who appeared in a long sleeve shirt with a skullcap, was seen shaking while holding back tears in the dock as he waited for the sentencing.
Jamaliah gave the accused an earful for his cruel act against the dog.
"I hope you will learn the lesson that your action has an impact on yourself and others.
"You should have reported the matter to the school's administration so that a proper report could be lodged to the Veterinary Services Department for further action.
"While the court takes into account your mitigation, your personal interest shall not be above the interest of the public," she said.
Jamaliah subsequently fined the accused RM2,500 in default of a six months' jail term and reminded him to learn his lesson. Yusof later paid the fine.