Animals give us so much love, but we abuse them
Services Department (DVS) director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizqmuddin Hassan Nizam has said that the department will introduce guidelines on the treatment of animals for use in schools and universities to strengthen animal welfare.
Quarza says the aim is to ensure animals used in teaching are handled humanely. The guidelines are in the drafting stage and expected to be finalised this year.
I welcome the efforts by DVS to engage the Education Ministry to include an animal welfare module in the education system to inculcate love and compassion for animals in children and youth. This is essential to create a generation that cares for animals.
Over the year, numerous acts of cruelty have been committed against animals, particularly strays. Recently, in Shah Alam, a dog was killed and eaten.
The act was caught on camera by two people feeding strays. They saw a group of men hitting a dog on the head with parang and wood.
The dog was thrown into a fire and cooked. This is barbaric.
Why are animal abuse and cruelty against animals rampant? If we respect human lives, why can’t we do the same to animals?
Malaysians would rather forget the photos and reports of cruelty against animals that went viral.
From poisoning elephants to killing strays, the evidence is clear that Malaysians need to step up efforts to better protect furry friends.
Animal abuse must be curbed with stringent penalties, including heavier fines and imprisonment. The fine meted out now is not a deterrent.
The Animal Welfare Act 2015 promotes the welfare and ownership of animals. With the act, Malaysia is on a par with countries of the World Organisation for Animal Health, such as India, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. This law sends a message to people not to abuse animals.
We need to step up enforcement. Police and local councils must boost their resources to enforce the law.
We need to consider illegal activities like poaching and trade of wildlife on social media. Poaching is a threat to rhinos, elephants, pangolins, tigers and other endangered species.
The Animal Welfare Act regulates offences related to animals, including animal cruelty, and is administered by DVS.
The act provides a framework for the care and use of animals to achieve a balance between the welfare of animals and that of their owners.
Education programmes are needed to address questions such as: “What would you do to stop animal abuse?”
American journalist and nonfiction writer John Grogan said: “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.
“It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”
This shows animals are an indispensable part of our lives.
Like human beings, they, too, have souls and provide unconditional love, bring laughter and add colour to our life.
Patron, Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals