National Badminton Player Fined RM25,000 For Abusing Dog On Condo Balcony
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence today, 30 August.
By May Vin Ang — 30 Aug 2024, 05:21 PM
National junior shuttler Samuel Lee has been fined RM25,000 in default of six months' jail by the Kajang Sessions Court for abusing his dog on the balcony of his home last month
According to the New Straits Times, Judge Mazualina Abdul Rashid handed down the sentence after the 21-year-old accused pleaded guilty to the offence today, 30 August.
He was charged under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which carries a maximum prison sentence of three years, a fine of up to RM100,000, or both upon conviction.
According to the charge sheet, Lee had struck his dog on the balcony of his condominium unit in Kajang around midnight on 1 July
The incident was captured on video by a neighbour and uploaded to social media, where it went viral, prompting independent rescuers to intervene.
The day after the incident, Lee reportedly handed the traumatised dog over to the rescuers, who brought it to a veterinary clinic.
According to dog media company My Forever Doggo, the husky, named Kitster, will not be returned to Lee and instead be adopted out to a keen and qualified individual.
During the hearing, Selangor Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Mohd Sharif Sabran insisted that a deterrent sentence be imposed on the accused
"The cruel act of the accused in beating the dog until it suffered depression requires a severe punishment as a lesson to the public.
"This case received widespread attention and angered the public, showing the need for serious action against animal cruelty and considering the public interest in the sentencing," he said, as quoted by the New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, Lee's lawyer Rajashree Suppiah pleaded for a minimum sentence, stating that Lee had rescued Kitster from a previous family who did not take good care of him.
She added that the dog may have appeared afraid and traumatised at the vet as he was taken away by strangers.
My Forever Doggo reported that after hearing from both sides of the case, Judge Mazualina said with Lee's level of education, he should have known better than to harm animals.
