A 39-year-old mechanic, Mohd Daniel Hakim Abdullah, was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court today after failing to pay a RM60,000 fine for cruelly killing a kitten.
Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak handed down the sentence, which takes effect immediately, after Mohd Daniel pleaded guilty to the offence. The incident occurred at an apartment in Section U16 between 4.50 am and 5 am on October 3, 2025.
According to court records, Mohd Daniel found two kittens outside his home, placed them in a bag, carried them to a neighbour’s front area, and proceeded to kick both animals. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured the act, which later went viral on social media.
Selangor Animal Welfare officers responded to a complaint and arrived at the scene at 9.15 pm, discovering a white kitten that had died and been buried. A post-mortem on October 9, 2025, revealed a cracked skull, fractured ribs, and lung bleeding, with respiratory failure cited as the cause of death.
The accused faced charges under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772), punishable by a fine of RM20,000 to RM100,000, up to three years’ imprisonment, or both.
During the hearing, defence counsel Amirah Badriyah Azahar requested a lighter sentence, citing Mohd Daniel’s monthly income of RM1,700, his responsibilities for his wife and seven-month-old child, and care for his 76-year-old ailing father. She added that repeated disputes with neighbours over stray cats and prolonged stress contributed to his momentary loss of judgment, which he now regrets.
Prosecutor Mohd Sharif Sabran urged the court to impose a strict sentence to deter animal cruelty, noting the kitten had died due to the accused’s actions.
The court ultimately imposed a RM60,000 fine, with the 22-month prison term to be served if the fine remains unpaid.
