A 33-year-old foreign national has been arrested in Malaysia on suspicion of animal abuse after a disturbing video emerged showing a white cat being skinned. The arrest was made on June 25, 2024, in Batu Belah, Klang, Selangor, following a report by a witness who received the video on June 24.
The suspect, believed to be involved in the video, had his mobile phone seized for investigation. The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows the man wielding a chopper and skinning the cat, with another person assisting him. The man can be heard speaking in broken Malay, making disturbing comments about the cat being “looking delicious” and “good to be cooked”.
The Malaysia Animal Association had offered a reward of RM3,000 (S$863) for information leading to the identification and arrest of the man in the video. The association shared pictures and the video on their Facebook page, claiming that the suspect is a Myanmar national who works at a snack shop in Selangor and lives in Klang.
It is unclear whether the cat was killed by the suspect or if it was already dead when the video was recorded. The Malaysia Animal Association has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, including whether the cat was killed for food or other reasons.
The arrest is a welcome development in the case, and it is hoped that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrator to justice. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and action to prevent animal cruelty in Malaysia.