KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — A teenager arrested for allegedly killing a puppy by hurling it against a wall was “deprived of love” and care by his parents, an animal rights activist has said.
Activist T. Puspa Rani, who spoke to the teenager’s aunt, reportedly learned that the 15-year-old’s mother had left him at a young age and he was left in the woman’s care by his father.
“He was mentally tortured by his father’s second wife. She made sure he was separated from his dad before he was sent to his aunt’s house in Bahau
“I talked to her, and gathered from her that the boy was very deprived of love and attention, and only wants to be with his dad,” the Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue founder was quoted saying by The Star.
Puspa reportedly said the teenager “just kept silent” and appeared “very scared” after his arrest yesterday, also claiming that she had learnt that the puppy case was not his first case of animal abuse.
Yesterday, The Star Online reported that the police are investigating the teenager under Section 429 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term up to five years or a fine, or both upon conviction.
But the police are also considering putting the underage teenager under the Welfare Department’s watch, with Jempol district police chief Superintendent Hamzah Alias noting yesterday that he is “underage” and will be sitting for his PMR exam this year.
The animal abuse case sparked an uproar on the internet after a 50-second video posted on September 6 went viral.
In the video, a young boy was seen swinging a white puppy of indeterminate breed by its tail before flinging it into the air, and letting it smash to the ground.
Facebook users have responded with anger to the video, with some calling for the boy to be punished.
A few days ago on Facebook, Puspa had proposed that the teenager be brought to her group’s animal shelter to “show him what is love”, saying that he can learn from the dogs there.
