A man suspected of abusing stray cats in Semeling, Bedong, here, last week has been released on police bail. - NSTP/ IZAD TJAQIF HASSAN
A man suspected of abusing stray cats in Semeling, Bedong, here, last week has been released on police bail. - NSTP/ IZAD TJAQIF HASSAN

SUNGAI PETANI: A man suspected of abusing stray cats in Semeling, Bedong, here, last week has been released on police bail.

Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Zaidy Che Hassan said the 27-year-old was released yesterday pending further instructions from the deputy public prosecutor's (DPP) office.

"Investigation papers have been submitted to the DPP and we are waiting for further instruction. The suspect was released on bail on June 26."

The Sungai Petani magistrate's court granted a three-day extension for the remand against the suspect on Thursday. That ended yesterday.

Police nabbed the man, who is unemployed, at his house in Kampung Pengkalan Merbok last Monday.

The arrest came after a shop worker in Taman Semeling Maju, Bedong, witnessed the suspect allegedly abusing stray cats through the premises' closed-circuit television camera. The worker then lodged a police report.

The footage, which was captured on June 18 at 1.30am, showed the man arriving in front of the shop in a Proton Bezza.

He then lured a stray cat in front of the shop to him with some food. As the cat was eating the food, the man grabbed a palm-sized stone and threw it at the cat's head.

The cat was seen convulsing violently as blood oozed from its head. The man then drove to the back alley of the premises and used the same tactic to lure another stray cat.

This time, he kicked the cat before leaving.

The man was unaware his actions were recorded by the shop's CCTV camera.

The footage was uploaded to Facebook and went viral, sparking public outcry.

Zaidy was quoted as saying that preliminary investigations found that the suspect was suffering from an emotional breakdown after becoming jobless.

He said the suspect's family members claimed the man was a cat lover and had previously owned several cats.

The injured cats were handed over to the Veterinary Services Department for treatment.

The suspect is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code for animal abuse.

The offence carries up to two years' jail or a fine or both, if convicted.