GEORGE TOWN: Two men were charged with animal cruelty after a video went viral showing a dog being beaten with a stick recently.
Fisherman Rosli Mat Zain, 53, and bus driver Suhaili Haron, 49, were charged with committing the offence at a drain in Kampung Teluk Tempoyak, Batu Maung, at 8.30pm on July 8.
Police brought along the stick allegedly used to abuse the dog as evidence.
The animal torture charge, framed under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The charge was read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides that when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if the act were done by him alone.
Deputy public prosecutor Lim Jim Hong asked that bail be set at high sum to ensure that both accused return to court.
Sessions court judge Khalid Ab Karim offered bail of RM1,000 in one surety each, and ordered Rosli and Suhaili to report to the nearest police station monthly.
He also set the case for mention on Aug 16.
Both accused were unrepresented.
