A 55-year-old man has denied one count of animal cruelty after he reportedly kicked a puppy and sent it flying at a Sau Mau Ping construction site this year.
The defendant, Lau Kwok-wah, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court today, Oriental Daily reports. He was released on bail until his trial on August 8.
In court, the magistrate reportedly asked whether Lau had an explanation for his actions and pointed out that the act was caught on camera, but adjourned the hearing after the defendant insisted on seeking legal counsel.
In January, Lau, a security guard at the construction site, was filmed kicking a puppy that his colleague had adopted on surveillance footage.
One of Lau’s colleagues reported the incident to the SPCA, who took the dog in.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a HKD200,000 fine and three years’ imprisonment.
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