Animal training centres to require licences soon

PUTRAJAYA: Licensing for animal training centres under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which would allow the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) to monitor and control animal training activities, will be available soon.

DVS director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said those who intended to set up or operate such centres would be required to obtain a licence before conducting animal training.

“If they fail to obtain the licence, they will violate the provisions of Section 15 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.

“They shall be liable to a fine of not less than RM15,000 and not more than RM75,000, or a jail term of not more than two years, or both,” Dr Quaza said in a statement yesterday.

He said the move followed a report by a daily exposing animal abuse involving the owner of Malaysia Dog Training and renowned dog trainer, Samy Velu Chandrasagaran.

In the report, animal rights activist N. Surendran called on the authorities to regulate animal training centres to prevent abuse.

“DVS will investigate the Malaysia Dog Training case,” Dr Quaza said.

He added that under provisions in the Animal Welfare Act 2015, animal trainers or animal training centre operators involved in animal abuse would be liable to a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM100,000, or a jail term of not more than three years, or both.