Lau: Pleaed guilty to causing pain and suffering to 13 dogs at a kennel in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Several animal rights activists were unhappy when a magistrate’s court only fined a dog owner the maximum RM200 for abusing 13 pedigree dogs under his charge. 

What irked them more was that the court granted owner Francis Xav Lau Choo Kee custody of the dogs after he paid the fine. 

Sabrina Yeap, animal inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), who was in court as an observer, said she would appeal for a harsher sentence against Lau. 

Lau had pleaded guilty to causing pain and suffering to the dogs at a kennel in Kg Cheras Baru here at 3pm on March 25. 

He admitted to not providing the dogs with medicine for various skin disorders caused by the abuse. 

The canines arrived by lorry in six cages at the court compound at about 8.30am to allow magistrate Nurul Izwan Ahmad Zubir to examine them.  

They include an English bull terrier, a Shar Pei, a golden retriever, a Labrador, a St Bernard, two Weimeranas, two basset hounds, two English bull dogs and two bull mastiffs, one of which had cataracts. 

Prosecuting officer from the Veterinary Service Department, Tee Thian See, said that under Section 44(1)(d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953, Lau could be fined RM200 or jailed six months or both for abusing the animals. 

He said enforcement personnel from his department had raided the kennel and lodged a police report. 

“The dogs have since been treated and the medical expenses of RM1,300 was paid by the owner,” said Tee. 

Nurul Izwan said it was reasonable to give Lau a second chance since he had paid the medical fees and “the dogs are healthy now.” 

Among those who followed the proceedings were Dawn Peacock, an animal welfare consultant with the SPCA, and Amy Firth, who is with the London-based World Society for the Protection of Animals.