SEREMBAN: A goatherd pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to two counts of trapping and confining a black panther at a rubber plantation in Kuala Pilah.
Mohd Firdaus Mohd Lani, 40, claimed trial after the charges were read to him before judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam.
For the first charge, the accused was charged with keeping the wildlife from the panthera pardus species in a small cage, causing unnecessary pain or suffering to the animal.
He was charged under Section 86(1)(c) of the Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010 which states that it was an offence for anyone to keep, confine or breed any wildlife in such manner as to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering.
Offenders can be fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000 or jailed up to three years or both upon conviction.
For the second charge, the accused was charged with trapping the animal on March 22 and for failing to report this immediately to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).
He had trapped the animal to protect his livestock.
For this, he was charged under Section 54(3) of the same Act which carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term of up to three years or both upon conviction.
Both the offences were allegedly committed at Kampung Terentang in Batu Kikir, Kuala Pilah around 4pm on March 27.
Perhilitan prosecuting officer then offered the suspect a bail of RM3,000 with one surety for each offence.
Mohd Firdaus, who was unrepresented, asked for a lower bail as he was only a goatherd earning an average of RM1,000 a month and had to provide for three school-going children.
Judge Mohamad Kamil then allowed a total bail of RM4,000 and ordered the accused to report at the nearest police station once a month till the case is disposed of.
The court fixed Sept 25 for remention.
