SHAH ALAM: A Nepalese security guard has been fined RM40,000 by the Sessions Court here for sodomising a cat last month.
According to Sinar Harian, Arman Shah, 33, pleaded guilty before Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak to a charge of cruelly abusing the animal.
The court also ordered that Arman would serve 15 months in prison if he failed to pay the fine.
The charge was framed under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM100,000 or both, upon conviction.
According to the statement of facts, the bachelor was accused of abusing the cat on the fourth floor of an apartment in Kota Kemuning, Section 31 about 12.30am on Nov 15.
During proceedings, Arman, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, pleaded for a lighter sentence.
“I am guilty. Please reduce the punishment. I want to return to Nepal because my mother is ill,” he told the court.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Sofea Jaysal argued that the act was extreme, cruel and should never be normalised.
“This case has drawn public attention and sparked anger and concern among the community.
“We seek a heavy sentence as a lesson not only to the accused but also to society,” she said.
On Nov 21, it was reported that the man was previously sentenced to four months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court on two charges for appearing half-naked in public and entering Malaysia without valid documents.
