KUCHING: A 38-year-old man who is alleged to have beaten a cat to death in an incident that went viral on social media pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here today.
The plea was recorded before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan after the charge was read out to the accused.
According to the charge, the accused is alleged to have committed mischief by killing a cat using a wooden stick, an offence under Section 428 of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The court fixed February 10 for Pre-Trial Case Management (PTCM) and granted the accused bail of RM4,500, which was paid with two local sureties.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani.
Earlier, police arrested the accused following the circulation of a 41-second video showing a man beating a cat with an object resembling a stick until it died, believed to have occurred at a self-service laundry shop along Jalan Astana recently.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, in a statement last night, confirmed that initial investigations found the suspect was involved in the incident, with the object used identified as a wooden stick.
He also said the accused has one previous record related to a drug offence and that an initial urine screening test found the accused positive for drugs.
“The case is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to three years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
“Police advise the public not to make any speculation that could affect the trial process and investigation of the case.
“Members of the public who have further information are requested to contact the Kuching District Police Headquarters Operations Room at 082-244444, the investigating officer, Insp. Ang Mei Cin (010-7039818), or any nearby police station,” he said.
