PRIVATE VETERINARY CLINIC OWNER CHARGED WITH NEGLECTING TWO ANIMALS TO DEATH

PETALING JAYA, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- A private veterinary clinic owner pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of abandoning the care of two animals, causing their deaths, at a premises in Damansara Damai this month.

Dr Fadzilah A'ini A. Kadir, 68, as the Accused Person (OKS) was charged with unreasonably abandoning the care of a cat and a dog, causing their deaths at the premises in December this year.

The charge is under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and is punishable under Section 29(1) of the same act, which carries a minimum fine of RM20,000 and a maximum of RM100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, if convicted.

Selangor State Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Mohd Sharif Sabran offered bail of RM10,000 with one surety, with the additional condition that OKS's passport be surrendered to the court.

However, Dr Fadzilah, who was not represented by a lawyer, appealed for a reduced bail because she is a single mother.

Judge Noor Ruzilawati Mohd Nor allowed OKS to be granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety along with additional conditions as requested by the prosecution.

The court set Feb 4 for mention of the case for the appointment of lawyers and submission of documents.

Previously, the media reported that there was a video recording and photo that went viral on social media, showing a dog and a cat dead at a veterinary clinic in Damansara Damai.

Following this, the Selangor Veterinary Services Department announced that it received a complaint on Dec 17 and the results of the inspection found that both animals were found dead in separate cages with an estimated time of death between one to two weeks.

-- BERNAMA