The trial of a Balinese man who allegedly abused a three-month old dog to its demise began yesterday at the Gianyar District Court. According to local media, this is the first animal cruelty case to be brought to court in Bali.
In November, a shopkeeper at a local market in Gianyar, who is identified as I Nyoman Mawa, allegedly abused the dog when it passed by his shop. Mawa saw the dog and proceeded to pull its leg and smashed it on the ground, before hitting it with a metal stick.
The dog’s owner then filed a police report in the Blahbatuh sub-district of Gianyar.
I Made Puji Atmaja, a veterinarian and expert witness in the case, told the court that the dog, called Si Putih, died from a severe head injury and other physical traumas.
“Based on our examination, it died from a heavy blow on his thorax and severe head injury, and a torn heart caused by severe blow,” Atmaja said.
Jovand Imanuel Calvary, who heads Bali Animal Defender and assisted Si Putih’s owner to file a police report in November, hopes that the trial will act as a deterrent for other animal abuser.
“We hope the judge will give justice to Si Putih, so there won’t be others like it,” Jovand said.
Under Article 302 of Indonesia’s criminal code, Mawa faces a maximum prison sentence of nine months.
“Let us all realize that animals deserve to live, too, we are all God’s creations, so don’t be reprehensible toward animals,” she said.
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