A TEENAGER who admitted to setting a cat on fire was released on a one-year good behaviour bond, New Straits Times reports.
The 13-year-old who committed the offence apologised for his actions in the Kajang magistrate's court, saying he had been influenced by his friends.
The boy was accompanied by his mother in the dock.
He promised not to repeat the mistake and wished to have a pet cat and chase his dream of being a soldier, defence lawyer Lee Teong Hooi said outside the court.
"The court's child adviser told the boy, who has never been to school, to study hard, be a good person, take care of his mother, and not make her worry."
His mother has registered him for school next year.
The boy had pleaded guilty to setting a cat on fire in a car park at Pangsapuri Taman Sri Kenari on April 22.
The charge sheet showed the boy had committed the deed along with two others who are still at large.
He was charged under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence is punishable by a fine of no less than RM20,000 and no more than RM100,000, a jail term of no less than three years, or both.
The court, which was provided with a moral report on the boy from the Social Welfare Department, also imposed a curfew on the boy, forbidding him from leaving his home between the hours of 10pm to 6am.
He was ordered to attend workshops organised by the Social Welfare Department. The mother paid a a bond of RM1,000 to ensure her son obeys the conditions of his release.
Deputy public prosecutor Norfarhanim Abdul Halim urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence to teach the boy a lesson. – June 27, 2024
