GEORGE TOWN: The driver of a four-wheel-drive vehicle accused of animal cruelty in a viral video last month will not be prosecuted.
The Penang Veterinary Services Department said a thorough and transparent investigation had been carried out into the incident.
"The complete investigation report has been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's (DPP) Office.
"And the decision is that no charges will be filed," it said in a statement.
The department advised the driver to exercise greater care and consideration for animal welfare in the future to prevent such occurrences.
It said the said cat had received treatment from a veterinary officer and was in good condition under its care.
"We will offer the cat up for adoption to the public," it added.
The department cautioned people not to exploit viral cases to spread misinformation.
It urged the public to obtain information from credible sources and not to spread unverified information.
It was reported that a photo of a cat with a rope tied around its neck, seemingly hanging from the rear of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, went viral early last month, sparking public outrage.
The owner of the vehicle and his friend, who was driving during the incident, had been summoned by the department in connection with the case.
The friend claimed that he was taking the stray cat to the veterinarian for treatment and explained that the animal had been placed under a basket at the back of the vehicle.
However, the basket flew off, causing the cat to fall with a rope tied around its neck.
Another driver followed the four-wheel-drive to alert him to what had happened.