Yong Chen Fah, 78, pleaded guilty before Kota Kinabalu sessions court judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan to a charge of cruelly beating the dog, Sabah Media reported.

Yong was charged with committing the offence in Taman Donggongon, Penampang, at about 1.30pm on Dec 31.

The charge under Section 18(1)(a) of Sabah’s Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 provides for a maximum RM100,000 fine, up to three years in jail, or both, upon conviction.

After pleading guilty, Yong, who was not represented, pleaded for a lighter sentence, claiming he had beaten the dog in self defence.

He also cited his age and said his wife often required treatment in hospital because of a kidney disease.

Prosecuting officer Francis Palikat argued that Yong’s actions were excessive as he had repeatedly beaten the dog to the point of causing injuries.