Kedah Man Caught On Video Luring Then Abusing Stray Cats Gets Arrested
The suspect's family said that he was a cat lover and had previously owned many animals.
By Ivyna Ong — 22 Jun 2022, 05:49 PM
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Disclaimer: The story contains disturbing images and video footage. Viewer discretion is advised.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of a 27-year-old unemployed man abusing stray cats around 1.09am on Saturday, 18 June, in Semeling, Kedah, has gone viral on social media
According to a statement by Kuala Muda police chief ACP Zaidy Che Hassan, the police received a report at 12.03am on Monday, 20 June, from a worker who was shown the CCTV footage at his workplace in Taman Semeling Maju in Bedong.
The footage shows the man arriving in front of a shop in a white Perodua Bezza, where he feeds a stray. While the cat is feeding, the man suddenly grabs a palm-sized rock and throws it at the cat's head.
The cat starts to shake violently as the man gets in his car and leaves the premise.
In the same video, the man then drives back around the shop and tries luring other stray cats with food
His attempts to lure a black cat fail, but he's able to entice another cat to a spot behind his car. This time, while the cat is eating, the man delivers a hard kick to its body, causing both strays to run away.
Another part of the footage shows the man positioning a different cat on the ground before preparing himself in a kicking stance, and then following through.
After doing so, he gets in his car and drives away.
On Monday, 20 June, at around 1.29pm, the man who was believed to have committed the act was arrested at his house in Kampung Pengkalan Merbok, Kedah
"During the initial interrogation, the suspect claimed to be going through emotional distress due to being unemployed," said Zaidy.
The suspect's family claimed that he was a cat lover and had previously owned many animals.
Following this incident, New Straits Times reported that a cat's dead body was found at the man's house, unrelated to the ones abused in the video.
According to the police statement, the Kedah Veterinary Services Department have since rescued and treated the stray cats that were involved in the recording.
Magistrate Noor Fazlina Musa granted a three-day remand order against the 27-year-old when he was presented in court on Tuesday morning, 21 June
According to New Straits Times, the suspect is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code for animal abuse where he can face up to three years imprisonment or a fine.
The case is also being investigated under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 by the Kedah Veterinary Services Department for committing acts of cruelty that are prohibited. The man could be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or face imprisonment of up to three years.
