‘More enforcement officers needed to ensure effectiveness of Act’
SIBU: More enforcement officers are required to ensure the effectiveness of Animal Welfare Act enforcement, says the patron of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SPCA) Selangor Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye yesterday.
He said the recent media reports on cruelty against animals showed that the people are still unaware of the stiffer penalty imposed on offenders under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
“Under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, those found guilty of abusing the animals can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or jailed up to three years or both
“However, a single mum was recently sentenced to a night in jail and fi ned RM7,000 for feeding her dog 32 sewing needles, in Kinarut near Kota Kinabalu last year,” Lee recalled, describing it as an inhumane act as it could cause a slow but painful death to her pet dog.
He added: “The lower penalty imposed on the vegetable seller also exposed the difference between the legislation in the Peninsular Malaysia and the two Borneon states.
“Although the 2015 Animal Welfare Act has come into force since July 1 last year, it cannot be applied in Sabah and Sarawak as both states have their own enactment to address the issue,” he said.
In his media statement released here, Lee said if the punishments under the state enactments are seen as lesser deterrent, he hoped that they would be reviewed and amended so that stiffer penalties could be meted out against those who abused the animals.
“The amendments should be made in line with the penalties under the Animal Welfare Act 2015. As for other states, stern action must be taken against those who continue to abuse animals including stray dogs and cats,” he reiterated.
Lee found it disturbing to read about 11 stray dogs which had died due to poisoning within the span of a week at Elmina Garden, U16, Shah Alam.
“All parties should help the authorities identify and nab the culprit and charge him or her in court.
“Moving ahead as a civilised society, we all must put a stop to all forms of animal cruelty. I wish to call on members of the public to be kind and compassionate towards animals and to know more about the Animal Welfare Act 2015,” he said.