Suspected cat killers claim trial

Two men suspected of being involved in killing a stray cat by putting it in a dryer at a self-service launderette, causing its death, were charged in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today with causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.

However, A Mohanraj, 41, a taxi driver and SS Satthiya, 26, a technician, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before judge Rasyihah Ghazali.

The duo, together with another person still at large, were charged with committing the offence at the self-service launderette in Taman Gombak Ria, Batu Caves between 12.54am and 1am on Sept 11.

The charge, under Section 29 (1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 which is punishable under Section 29 (1) of the same act and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

The court granted both of the accused bail at RM18,000 in one surety each and ordered them to report to the nearest police station once a month pending the conclusion of the case.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Zuhaini Mahamad Amin while the accused were not represented.

The court fixed Oct 16 for mention for submission of documents and for the accused to appoint their lawyer.

A closed-circuit television camera footage of a pregnant cat being placed in the dryer by two men at a self-service laundrette went viral on social media.

The cat was later found dead in the dryer by a customer.

-- Bernama