A 38-year-old local man has been arrested for allegedly beating a tabby cat to death with a wooden stick at a laundromat along Jalan Astana.
Kuching district police chief Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu said the suspect was detained after police identified him through investigations sparked by a video of the alleged animal abuse that circulated on social media.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code for mischief by killing or maiming an animal, which carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Police also confirmed that the suspect has a prior criminal record involving drug-related offences and tested positive for drugs following a urine screening.
