THE Selayang magistrates’ court has handed down a RM6,500 fine to a retired policeman for committing mischief by shooting a cat that ate his chickens and discharging a firearm in public.

Magistrate Nik Fadli Nik Azlan imposed the fine on Zainol Abidin Md Zain, 65, after the latter changed his plea to guilty during case mention today.

The court ordered him to pay a RM5,000 fine or undergo six months’ jail for the charge of committing mischief, and ordered him to pay a RM1,500 fine or undergo two months’ jail for the second charge.

Zainol Abidin was charged with intentionally killing the cat using a shotgun in his orchard in Kampung Setia, Kuang, Selangor at 6.40pm on July 1, 2020, under section 428 of the penal code, which carries a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

He was charged with discharging a firearm in a public place using the same weapon at the same time and place under sections 39 and 43 of the Firearms Act 1960, which provides for a prison sentence of up to one year or RM2,000 fine, or both, upon conviction.

The deputy public prosecutor urged the court to mete out an appropriate punishment to serve as a lesson to the accused as he had no reason to shoot the cat, which did not pose any danger to anyone.

“Although the accused has a license to own a firearm, his act of firing in a public place and killing a cat is unnecessary.”

Lawyer Azman Abdullah, representing the accused, when appealing for leniency said his client has repented and promised to not repeat the offence. – Bernama, April 5, 2022.