PETALING JAYA: Saying sorry is does not make up for the cruel deed, say social media users about a person who apologised for abusing dog and setting one on fire.
Angry netizens said his act was apparently premeditated as there were a few video clips of him abusing the animals.
"He deserves to be punished for such a cruel act on a helpless and innocent dog. No excuse for him at all," said a Facebook user Annie Chai.
Mei Ezed said he had a "wicked mind" and abused the dog in other ways. "He deserves a heavy punishment."
Another user, Shafeeq Faruqi, said, "No pardon for animal abusers. You can't harm another life, apologise and walk away."
"No forgiveness for this person. Put him in jail," said Mogan Vediveloo.
Many echoed the sentiment for the accused to be punished.
User Zuraidah Zainal Abidin commented in Bahasa Malaysia saying, "Kena tangkap ask for forgiveness. Tak kena tangkap buat lagi" (when caught, ask for forgiveness, if not, will do it again).
The suspect was first caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) abusing stray dogs at 11.02pm on March 8, where he throws some items at the dogs in a stairwell.
CCTV footage from March 14 shows the suspect arriving at the location on a bicycle before throwing something at the dogs.
Then on March 19, the suspect returns and sets one of the dogs on fire.
The animal with its rear end in flames, is seen running out of the stairwell.
In a 45-second video posted by a Facebook user Braden Yap, the youth admitted what he had done was wrong and hoped that the public could give him a second chance.
Johor Baru North acting OCPD Supt Fariz Ammar Abdullah had said that the Veterinary Services Department had recorded the suspect's statement.
The 18-year-old suspect will be charged in court on Monday (April 3), he added.
A police report regarding the incident was lodged at 2.59pm on Monday (March 27).
The incidents were believed to have taken place near a veterinary clinic in Taman Impian Emas in Skudai.
