“We find the defendant guilty of animal abuse that caused impairment and death, as stipulated in the 2014 law on animal husbandry and animal health,” presiding Judge Wadji Pramono said during a hearing on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com.

Aris would not be detained but Wadji said that if within the six-month probation period he committed another crime, he would have to spend three months in jail. 

The defendant must also pay a Rp 1 million (US$ 70.41) fine. Failure to pay the fine will result in one month in jail.

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The sentence was lighter than the four months’ imprisonment and Rp 2 million fine demanded by prosecutors.

The animal abuse case was filed by animal welfare group the Natha Satwa Nusantara Foundation, following the filing of a report by the dog owners.

The foundation’s chairperson, Davina Veronica, said even though Aris had been found guilty, she expected a harsher punishment to create a deterrent effect.

“We won the case but we are dissatisfied because people can see that the verdict will not deter animal abusers,” she said.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Andri said his side would appeal. 

“Hopefully the judges will grant our appeal so animal abuse stops,” he said. (dpk)