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A student from Johor Bahru, who set fire to a dog, has been sentenced to seven strokes of the rotan cane in Malaysia.

Caught abusing stray dogs

On Mar. 27, Malaysia police received a report on a male suspect who was caught abusing a stray dog on CCTV.

In a report by New Straits Times, the culprit was revealed to be a 19-year-old student, Braden Yap Hong Sheng.

On Mar. 8, Yap threw a vase at the canine taking shelter, according to The Straits Times.

The incident took place at a stairwell next to a veterinary clinic in Taman Impian Emas in Skudai.

On Mar. 14, Yap came back to throw bricks and stones at the dog.

He returned once again on Mar. 27, bringing with him a new set of torture weapons.

Warning: the following contains footage featuring acts of animal abuse. Viewer discretion is advised. 

First, he used a metal rod to hit the dog.

He then poured what appeared to be alcohol on it before setting it on fire.

A vet from the clinic lodged the police report.

Dog was traumatised

The dog was sent to the state veterinarian for physical examination, reported New Straits Times.

"The results of the examination found that the dog was in a state of fear. There were bruises and burns on its left thigh, a wound on the front leg and bleeding in the left eye."

Apologised and asked for forgiveness

Following public outcry, Yap posted an apology video on Facebook.

"I take responsibility for my actions and I am very sorry. I promise that I will not make the same mistake again. I hope everyone will give me a chance to turn over a new leaf," he deadpanned.

He then offered to foot the bill for the canine's medical treatment.

"Good" boy

The case was investigated by the Veterinary Services Department under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, according to The Straits Times.

The maximum penalty offenders may receive is a fine of RM25,000 (S$7,500) to RM100,000 (S$30,000), or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.

Yap was charged with "cruelly causing undue pain" to the brown female dog.

According to Malaysiakini, Yap's lawyer GK Sritharan argued that Yap was a "good boy" who had acted in self-defence.

"Yap once fractured a finger after falling off his bicycle as a result of being chased by the dog. Until now, his hand is not strong enough to do heavy work."

This account seems to contradict the description posted by a person who appears to be familiar with the dog.

The text read: "The dog usually sleeps peacefully on the steps. It won't even disturb people visiting the clinic, much less turn aggressive and bite them."

7 strokes of cane

After pleading guilty, Yap was released on a one-year good behaviour bond and granted bail of RM10,000 (S$3000).

"Whatever threat the dog posed against you, you should not have acted cruelly," said Johor Bahru Sessions Court judge Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.

The judge took into account the fact that Yap was a first-time offender, wrote New Straits Times.

"The court sees a prison sentence as not appropriate. However, it is the court's responsibility to also give an appropriate punishment by taking into account the public interest factor as a lesson to the accused and the community so that this act does not happen again in the future.

All living beings, including animals, have a fundamental right to be protected by the law and to live in peace"

Yap was sentenced to seven strokes of the cane.

His sentence will be carried out in public on May 21 at 9am.

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