Hishamuddin Rais may sometimes come across as brash in his defence of human rights but the activist has a soft spot for animals - his two dogs and tortoises.

Hishamuddin, in an interview with Malaysiakini, said he would always tell seven-year-old Ezi, a pug and 12-year-old Jai, a Telomian, when he leaves the house.

However, this time, Hishamuddin is finding it difficult to tell them that he may not be seeing them for nine months if the Court of Appeal on Monday upholds his jail sentence for sedition.