KUALA LUMPUR – Another case of alleged animal cruelty resulting in the death of a dog in Perak, believed to be due to an arrow shot, has ignited the ire of animal rights advocates who back higher penalties for perpetrators.
Urging the government to treat such cases seriously, renowned social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it is high time for relevant authorities and the public to do everything that they can to put an end to abuse against innocent animals.
“Dogs and cats are part of the planet. We, as humans, must learn to coexist with them (as) it is totally unacceptable for humans to inflict harm or cruelty on animals.
“Taking into account the various cases we’ve heard about cruelty imposed on animals, the government needs to relook at the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to see whether there is a need for higher penalties,” he told Scoop.
Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act, which is overseen by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, currently stipulates any person who is found guilty of cruelty against an animal can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.
Section 30 of the act, meanwhile, states that the killing of any dog, cat or any other animal as prescribed by the minister is an offence, with those convicted liable to the same punishments.
Lee was commenting on a recent social media posting by the Stray Animal Foundation Malaysia (SAFM), which alleged that a dog, known as Kutty, was attacked with an arrow by a worker at Ladang Malaya in Selama, Perak.
The group claimed that the dog was shot after the animal “strayed into another lane”, following which it suffered serious injuries and eventually died as a result of the attack.
“Such a cruel act cannot be allowed as a challenge to basic human principles. Immediate and firm action must be taken to ensure justice is served comprehensively,” the group added in its statement.
It also called on eye-witnesses to come forward and relay relevant information to the police and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS), asserting that violence against animals remains widespread due to weaknesses in law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Selangor Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) chairman Christine Chin expressed hope that the DVS will act swiftly to prosecute the supposed animal abuser under the Animal Welfare Act.
“Sometimes it’s quite hard to find the abuser without any witness statements. Hopefully, the public will come forward and provide information (as) nothing much can be done without evidence,” she said when contacted by Scoop. — December 27, 2024