Cat abuser says sorry

SERI KEMBANGAN: "I am sorry. I promise not to repeat the shameful act and would learn to love and appreciate every living being."

These were the remorseful words of Chow Xiao Wei who had been identified as the person who had openly abused cats in a video posting which had gone viral on the internet in the past week.

Chow 21, who was meet at a press conference organised by Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching this morning said she regretted what she did and hopes the public would accept her apology.

"With all honesty I sincerely apologise to the community especially animal lovers on my shameful and cruel acts against the three defenseless kittens."

"I couldn't control myself and I admit I made a huge mistake and I regret my actions, Chow said.

She said her mother Cheong Poh Ling was also upset with what she had done and had brought her to a hospital to undergo a psychological evaluation. Chow admitted she only realised she made a mistake after she viewed the video clip of her abusing the kittens.

"My only hope is for the community accept my apology. I promise not to repeat the shameful act and would learn to love and appreciate every living being."

Cheong, who accompanied her daughter during the press conference said she was shocked with her daughter's actions and hoped the public would give her daughter a chance to repent.

"I'm shocked by my daughter's actions, she has never had any discipline problems in the past. I humbly and sincerely hope as a mother, the public would give my daughter a second chance to make a major improvement as i know her actions were very wrong."

"I never raised her to be such a brat, and because of this, my business is affected. I had to close shop, after constant harassment from the press."

"My daughter told me, while torturing those poor little kittens, she had no idea, they were already dead."

An officer from the Selangor Department of Veterinary Services who was present said he was there to get a statement from Chow.

Enforcement officer, Masdin Ubin said, "This is a new case, there has to be a report made to us at our headquarters, for possible action to be taken."

Teo said that Chow was prepared to face the music and was prepared if legal actions were to be taken against her.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for NGO group Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), President Christine Lai who was also present at the press conference said said even though she was appalled with Chow's actions, MDDB would like to help Chow if she truly regretted her earlier actions.

"We are willing to sponsor her to get proper psychiatric treatment at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)."

"We urge the authorities to help her, but at the same time take proper and immediate action on her, so as a reminder of her cruel act. We told her, she would be monitored by us, and should get back to community works."

Both, MDDB and counterpart, Malaysian Cats Care Project (MCCP) urged the Government to increase the penalty pertaining to animal cruelty.

"No matter what her reasons may be, Chow committed an inexcusable offense, and we urge the authorities to take the necessary action against her."

The Malay Mail had on March 3, highlighted about the five-minute closed-circuit television footage which was the latest animal abuse clip to surface less than two months after the country was rocked by a poodle abuse video.

The cat abuse clip showed the youth using an umbrella to poke and then kick, beat and stomp kittens to death.

Over 2,500 Facebook users, both local and from other countries, commented on the video and expressed disgust and rage over the youth's behavior.

If found guilty, under the Animal Act 1953 (revised in 2006), section 44, she would be imposed a minimum fine of RM200, or a six month jail term or both.