THE man who sparked public outrage after a video showed him abusing a kitten has been jailed for six months by the Sessions Court in Kajang after failing to pay a RM60,000 fine imposed for the offence.
Judge Khainur Aleeza Ismail initially fined Toh Teck Hooi, 49, and ordered a custodial sentence in default of payment. The accused broke down in tears upon hearing the sentence.
The punishment was handed down after the unemployed man pleaded guilty to a charge of animal cruelty.
According to the charge, he had subjected a black male kitten to repeated abuse by throwing it against a wall and onto a mattress multiple times.
The offence took place at a self-service laundrette in Taman Kajang Prima between 3.30am and 4am on April 2.
The charge was brought under Subsection 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which provides for a fine ranging from RM20,000 to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Department of Veterinary Services prosecuting officer Mohd Sharif Sabran, while the accused was unrepresented.
Case facts revealed that the accused had uploaded a 59-second video of the incident to his own social media account on the day of the offence, leading to widespread public attention.
Animal welfare officers from the Selangor Department of Veterinary Services later inspected the scene and examined the kitten, finding that it appeared injured, particularly in its hind leg, and showed signs of distress, weakness and reduced activity.
The man was subsequently remanded for four days beginning last Saturday following his arrest.
The case drew significant attention after footage of the abuse went viral, showing the accused repeatedly hurling the kitten against a wall and onto a mattress, prompting swift enforcement action by authorities. - April 7, 2026
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