KOTA BHARU:A 70-year-old government retiree was charged in the Sessions Court here, today, with shooting a cat with an air rifle, causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.

However, the accused Ab Hamid @ Fauzi Ismail, entered a not guilty plea after the charge was read out to him before Judge Shahrul Rizal Majid.

According to the charge, the accused had used an air rifle injuring his neighbour’s cat on its right ear,  and the offence was allegedly committed at Lorong Raja Abdullah, Jalan Pintu Gang, near here, on Aug 17.

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

The court allowed the accused bail of RM3,000 with one surety and set Nov 22 for re-mention.

-- BERNAMA