KUALA LUMPUR: A housewife, who was charged in the Sessions Court today with animal cruelty by throwing a kitten off a building, took some time to make her plea to the court.
Nina Norhaslinda Mazlan, 44, was asked several times by the court interpreter if she pleaded guilty or otherwise to the offence after the charge was read to her before Judge Norina Zainol Abidin.
She was accused of throwing the cat off the first-floor corridor of a flat building in Cheras at about 7.35am on Dec 25 last year.
The charge, framed under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 read that her unreasonable action had caused unnecessary suffering to the animal.
It is punishable under Section 29(1) of the same Act.
The offence carries a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM100,000 or jail not more than three years or both.
Nina, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty and asked the court to lower the bail sum.
"I am a housewife and I have no income," she said.
Earlier, Kuala Lumpur Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Fadzilah Abdul Karim urged the court to set bail at RM15,000 with one surety.
As additional conditions, she said the accused must surrender her passport and report to the nearest police station once a month.
Judge Noriza allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety and no additional conditions.
Feb 6 has been fixed for mention of the case.
