Saiful Azhar Md Rahani, 35, shook his head when asked if he wanted to plead guilty to the charge read to him at the Sessions Court here this morning.

He was accused of torturing three cats to death at an unnumbered home on Jalan Teluk Bayu, Sungai Batu, on Feb 26, 2019, at 4.45pm.

Saiful can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000, or jailed for up to three years, or both, upon conviction under Section 29 (1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

Judge Mazdi Abdul Hamid allowed the prosecution’s request to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer as he was unrepresented. He set Oct 12 for the accused to appear in court again with a lawyer.

Deputy public prosecutor Roziman Awang Tahrin prosecuted.

Earlier this week, a Penang clerk was fined RM30,000 after she pleaded guilty to neglecting her two dogs at a home, with one dying of starvation.

Shop worker claims trial to having 15 toy guns

Separately, a 25-year-old store supervisor pleaded not guilty to a charge of possession and importation of imitation arms at the Magistrate’s Court here today.

Gabriel Ong Fu Lye was charged with possession of 15 imitation toy pistols at the Palm Court Trading sundry shop at the Palm Court Flats in Tanjung Tokong on July 29.

He was charged under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960, which carries a RM5,000 fine or one year’s jail upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Yazid Mustaqim Roslan asked the court to set bail at RM5,000, while Ong’s lawyer Audrey Wee asked for a lower bail.

Magistrate Jamaliah Abd Manap allowed bail at RM4,000 in one surety and fixed Oct 7 for mention. E Gnasegaran also appeared for Ong.

The case is related to the arrest of a 35-year-old security guard who had ridden his motorcycle with a fake gun bought from Palm Court Trading.

Mohd Redzuan Mohd was jailed three months by the Magistrates’ Court in Balik Pulau after he pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation weapon under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960 on July 28.