KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- A trader who poured hot water on her dog and failed to attend to its wounds was jailed three days and fined RM200 by the Magistrate's Court here Wednesday.

Magistrate Manira Mohamed Nor also ordered Yap Quan Lan, 39, to surrender the dog to the Federal Territory Veterinary Services Department for treatment which is to be borne by her.

It is the stiffest sentence meted out so far for cruelty to animals in the country.

Manira said the sentence was to serve as a lesson to Yap and a deterrent to others not to be cruel to animals.

"I take into account the veterinarian's report that the animal was injured after hot water was poured on it and you did not give it proper treatment," she said.

Yap of Kepong admitted not looking after the dog, a mongrel, properly by tying its neck too tightly with a metal chain causing it injuries and failing to give it proper treatment.

The dog was also not given shelter for the sun and rain.

The offence was committed at no. 21, Jalan Serendit, Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong, here, at about 11am on Dec 8 this year.

Yap, who was unrepresented, was charged under section 44(1)(d) of the Animals Ordinance 1953 which carries a maximum RM200 fine or six months jail, or both, on conviction.

Prosecuting officer from the Veterinary Services Department Hasiah Musa said enforcement officers found the dog tied to a tree with wounds on its back caused by hot water and its neck was injured as a result of being tied too tightly.-- BERNAMA