Singaporean denies abusing Furby
> Bail set at RM3,000 and case fixed for Sept 4
PETALING JAYA: A Singaporean businessman who was caught on camera hitting a dog at a condominium complex in Puchong four months ago, was charged with animal abuse at the magistrate’s court yesterday.
Terry Yee Kok Chew, 57, claimed trial to hitting the brown and white mongrel and causing pain and suffering to it.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at the security guard post at 8.49pm on April 2.
The charge, under Section 44(1)(a) of the Animal Act 1953, read together with the Animal Act (Amendment 2013), is punishable with a fine of not more than RM50,000 or a year’s jail, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Hasim proposed bail of RM3,000, saying that although it is a summons case, Yee is a foreigner.
Yee’s lawyer Joshua Andran did not object to the bail amount.
Magistrate Azali Ibrahim set bail at RM3,000 in one surety and fixed Sept 4 for mention.
The dog is being cared for at the Petaling district Veterinary Detention Centre.
Selangor Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Mohd Faiz Ajis conducted the prosecution.
Closed-circuit television footage of the incident, which went viral on social media, caused outrage among netizens, who demanded for the abuser to be charged.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Animal Welfare Society president Shenaaz Khan said she was glad that the perpetrator was finally charged.
“A heavy burden now falls on the prosecutor to make sure the severity of the Furby abuse case is translated to the judge,” she said.
Shenaaz, who is also a legal adviser, said while Furby may look “cute and healthy” now, the challenge for the prosecutor was to convince the judge on the severity of the abuse when it happened.
On Wednesday, theSun reported that AttorneyGeneral Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali had ordered for the abuser of the dog to be charged.