BUTTERWORTH: A 75-year-old man pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of injuring a female dog in October last year.

Ng Ah Leak, entered the plea after the charge was read out to him in Mandarin before Judge Noor Aini Yusof.

According to the charge sheet, the accused had wilfully caused pain and suffering to the dog by poking it in the left eye with an eight-foot bamboo rod.

The accused was charged with committing the offence in a drain behind his house in Taman Tanjung Indah, Butterworth at 10.30pm on October 24, 2020.

The offence framed under Section 29 (1) (e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 punishable under the same act, provides for a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both, if convicted.

Lawyer Lim Jin Hoong represented the accused while Veterinary Services Department prosecuting officer Roziman Awang Tahrin prosecuted.

The court fixed April 13 for mention.

-- BERNAMA