KUALA LUMPUR: A veterinary enforcement officer painted a picture of horror when he related what he saw at the home of a cat breeder here following complaints of cruelty against the felines in September.

Four of the cats were suffering from skin disease and had swollen eyes, Zairol Hisham Abu Hassan told a magistrate’s court here. One of the cats died a month later, he said.

He said he met the owner’s son Faizul Azhar Khusairi, 24, who told him that they did not have any medical records for the animals.

Faizul’s father Abdul Rashid Mohd Othman, 50, is facing a charge of neglecting the cats and causing them misery.

NOT CATERED FOR: The sick cats, now under the care of the veterinary services department, being brought to the magistrate's court in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.

The cat breeder is also accused of failing to give proper treatment to his pets, resulting in them suffering from skin disease and conjunctivitis.

Abdul Rashid is charged with committing the offence at his house in Sri Petaling on Sept 21. If convicted, he can be fined up to RM200 or jailed up to six months or both for each charge under the Animal Ordinance 1953.

In the first day of the trial yesterday, Zairol, an assistant enforcement officer at the veterinary services department, said he had gone to Abdul Rashid’s house at noon on Sept 21 with his team.

Faizul was alone at home.

“I found 30 Persian cats of various ages. Four were suffering from skin disease and also had swollen eyes, “ he said, when questioned by prosecuting officer Tee Thian See.

He said he recorded Faizul's particulars and took photos of the sick cats.

He then lodged a police report on the matter and submitted documents and the photos to investigating officer Roziman Awang Tahrin.

He said the animals were kept in a “cats section” of the house, about the size of a bedroom.

To a question, he said, Faizul had contacted Abdul Rashid but refused to divulge his father’s number.

The hearing continues today before magistrate Azniza Mohd Ali.

Source: TheStar