Malaysia gets serious on animal cruelty - FINALLY (sighs of relief..)

Malaysia, Malaysia.. finally.. I see that you’re beginning to have some sense of maturity in animal and pet welfare issues. I regret that it took so long for the officers-in-charge to realize it, but nevertheless I’m utmost elated for Dr Abd Aziz’s statement, “Gone are the days when people can do whatever they like against animals because the department is taking a more proactive role.”

For Malaysian pet lovers, we’re beginning to see some glimmer at the end of the dark path we’ve been walking. We hope to see one of our dreams come true very soon. Real soon.
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PUTRAJAYA: The Government will conduct surprise checks on pet shops, animal pounds and clinics. In addition Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin urged local councils to re-negotiate their contracts with dog catchers to ensure that animals caught were treated humanely.

“Most of the time, the dog catchers are only interested in the number of animals caught because they are paid by each dog, and the way these animals are then transported to the pound in a small van is inhumane.

“Sometimes, the dogs may have licences, or their collars can’t be seen clearly. The dogs are also put to sleep unsupervised by the department and it is done by people unqualified to handle the dangerous drug.

“We will call the problematic local councils to discuss this matter as well as have a dialogue with animal welfare groups. We will also make it a ruling that all euthanasia of stray animals must be under our supervision,” he told reporters at his office here on Wednesday.

Dr Abd Aziz said in the case of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) UNIFORMED MEN beating a dog and forcing it out through the railings of a locked gate, which was higlighted by The Star newspaper recently….Other news on animal welfare and cruelty by dog catchers in the Klang Valley had also been reported…….

The department, said Dr Abd Aziz, had already issued guidelines on catching stray dogs for local councils in May this year, which should be adhered to by all.

He said the department also hoped to table a proposal in Parliament next year to amend provisions under the Animals Act, seeking heavier penalties of up to RM10,000 or six years’ jail or both for animal cruelty, and a FINE FOR PEOPLE WHO ABANDONED THEIR PETS. (Bravo, bravo dr aziz for this beautiful, so-long-waited statement of yours. A wise and rational government will surely approve such a proposal.. unless…)

“Previously, the fine was only RM200 (the small figure is so downgrading, and denies the poor pets any justice!) and there was no jail term. The proposed fine for abandonment will look into the intentions of pet owners to see if their animals got loose by themselves or ran away. Abandonment of pets is the main reason behind the huge number of strays,” he said. (he’s darn right about this, my hats off for him for bringing this issue to the eyes of the public)

The department received 57 complaints of animal cruelty and had taken enforcement action against 207 cases last year.

Dr Abd Aziz said it was time that Malaysians treated animals more humanely because “WE ARE A MATURING COUNTRY.” (Amen to that! Bravo Dr Aziz, bravo for your wisdom!)

“Gone are the days when people can do whatever they like against animals because the department is taking a more proactive role,” he promised. AMEN!

Source: www.thestar.com.my