A Port Klang dog cruelty case involving a dog named Rocky took another turn today when two people accused of causing pain to the animal pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court.
Delivery rider Muhammad Shah Idham Nor Haikal Shaharom, 24, and S. Roghini Devi, 42, entered their pleas before Sessions Court Judge Mujib Saroji in separate proceedings.
Shah was charged with restraining the dog, and Roghini was charged with pulling it
The case stems from an incident outside a house in Jalan Sama Gagah, Taman Telok Gedung Indah, between 11 PM and 11.30 PM on 29 July.
Muhammad Shah is accused of restraining the male dog with a looped leash around its neck in a manner that caused it pain. Roghini, who is said to be Rocky’s owner, is separately accused of pulling the dog unreasonably during the same incident.
Both were charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which provides for a fine of RM20,000 to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution, represented by Selangor Veterinary Services Department officer Mohd Sharif Sabran, had initially sought RM20,000 bail for each accused.
Kosmo! reported that he also asked the court to require them to surrender their passports and report to the Selangor Veterinary Services Department every month.
The defence argued for substantially lower bail
Muhammad Shah’s lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, proposed RM3,500, saying his client was not a flight risk and that bail should not amount to punishment before a conviction.
He also challenged the proposed additional conditions, pointing out that his client had lived at the same address for 22 years.
Roghini’s lawyer, Jeremy Vinesh Anthony, similarly sought RM3,500 bail without additional conditions. He told the court that Roghini is a mother of four who supports her family, while her husband is a person with disabilities.
After considering the submissions, the court fixed bail at RM6,000 for each accused, with one surety each.
The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on 8 October, and stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ as we keep you updated.
