KUCHING: A 38-year-old local man was arrested on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) for allegedly killing a cat with a stick at a self-service laundrette along Jalan Astana here.
The arrest was made after police detected a viral Facebook video originally posted on Dec. 30 showing a man striking a cat during the incident.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, said preliminary investigations found that the suspect is believed to be directly involved in the incident.
“Checks found that the object used during the incident was a wooden stick. The suspect also has a previous criminal record involving drug-related offences,” he said.
He added that an initial urine screening test conducted on the suspect returned positive for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code, which provides for a punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine or both, upon conviction.
Police have advised the public not to speculate on the case as it could interfere with the ongoing investigation.
Members of the public who have further information related to the incident are urged to contact the Kuching District Police Headquarters Operations Room at 082-244444, the investigating officer Insp. Ang Mei Cin at 010-703 9818, or any nearby police station.
