A SINGAPOREAN businessman who beat up a dog with a crash helmet has been fined RM8,000, in default eight months’ jail, by the Petaling Jaya magistrate’s court.

Magistrate Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir passed the sentence on Yee Kok Chew, 57, whose act was caught on a video that went viral on social media, after he changed his plea to guilty when the charge was read in English.

Yee was charged with hurting and causing suffering to the dog, called Furby, at the security guardhouse in Taman Melody, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong at 8.49pm on April 2, 2017.

He was charged under Section 44(1)(a) of the Animals Act 1953 (Revised 2006) and read together with the Animals Act (Amendment 2013), which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, a jail term not exceeding one year, or both.

Yee paid the fine.

Earlier, Yee’s counsel Jerald Gomez asked for a light sentence as the dog did not sustain any serious injuries and was currently healthy and active.

“After the video of the incident went viral, the accused lost his franchise business licence and he also apologised for his action against the dog,” said Gomez.

However, deputy public prosecutor Nabilah Mohammad Zanudin asked for a deterrent sentence, saying the offence was serious.

Furby also had his day in court. The dog was brought in by a veterinary officer as Mohamad Ikhwan wanted to see its condition.

The incident came to light last year after animal rights group Malaysian Independent Animal Rescue posted a CCTV recording on its Facebook page, which showed a man repeatedly bashing a dog with a crash helmet at a housing area in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.

On April 6, veterinary officers went to check the guardhouse where they found a male mongrel and a crash helmet as seen in the video. – Bernama, January 8, 2018.