IPOH: A man was arrested after a video showing him hitting a kitten with an aluminium broomstick in a housing area in Batu Gajah, Perak, went viral.
Batu Gajah OCPD Asst Comm Md Noor Aehawan Mohammad said police received information on the incident at around 12.04pm on Wednesday (Aug 19).
The incident was recorded by the suspect’s neighbour, who witnessed the attack in the parking area of the suspect’s home.
“Following the incident, the suspect surrendered himself at the Batu Gajah police headquarters and was detained to assist in investigations," ACP Md Noor Aehawan said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 20).
The suspect admitted to hitting the kitten after it entered the engine compartment of his parked vehicle.
“The suspect claimed he acted out of fear that the kitten could be harmed or that his vehicle would be damaged if the engine was started,” he added.
The kitten survived and was taken to a veterinary clinic.
The case is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by killing or maiming an animal, as well as Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 for animal cruelty.
ACP Md Noor Aehawan advised the public against taking matters into their own hands or committing acts that mistreat animals. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Batu Gajah police headquarters or the nearest police station.
