Extend Animal Welfare Act to Sarawak – Activist
SIBU: Patron of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SPCA) Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has suggested that the Animal Welfare Act 2015 be extended to Sarawak.
He said this following a report that a dog was tied to the rear of a lorry and dragged down a road, believed to happen in Limbang.
“Once again, we are shocked by another abuse case involving a helpless animal.
“Images of the vulnerable dog have turned viral and a police report has been lodged in Kuching, prompting the Limbang District police to launch an investigation.
“I hope the perpetrator could be charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which was passed last year. Under the new Act, those found guilty of cruelty against animals can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 and jailed up to three years.
“Cruelty offences include the act of beating, mutilating, poisoning, confining in area that restrict natural movements of the animals, and abandonment. Unfortunately, the Act has yet to be enforced in Sarawak and Sabah. I would therefore like to urge both the federal and state governments to find ways to ensure that it can be done soonest,” he said in a press statement emailed here yesterday.
Lee, a social activist, added that he had always stressed the
Once again, we are shocked by another abuse case involving a helpless animal. Images of the vulnerable dog have turned viral and a police report has been lodged in Kuching, prompting the Limbang District police to launch an investigation. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Patron of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
importance of having an animal welfare policy in the country in order to be a developed, caring and compassionate nation.
“This is crucial since the Veterinary Services Department has in 2015 received 334 complaints on animal cruelty while in 2014 ( 266 complaints), 2013 ( 255 complaints), 2012 ( 280 complaints), 2011 ( 168 complaints), 2010 (134 complaints) and 2008 (288 complaints).”
He noted that a 20-year research in Massachusetts, USA showed that animal abusers were five times more likely to inflict abuse against children, women and be a menace to society while the FBI also considered animal cruelty a big red flag to identify an abuser.
He thanked those who have highlighted the incident and the man who lodged the police report, proving that the awareness level on the issue had increased.
He also commended the police’s swift action in investigating the case under the Sarawak’s Cruelty to Animals ( Prevention) Ordinance 1963, adding the public should never tolerate such a heinous act and those involved must be severely punished.
Animal cruelty can be avoided if people can fulfill the five freedoms for animals namely freedom from hunger or thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to express their normal behaviour; and freedom from fear and distress.
Lee said punitive actions must be taken against the abusers of animals in addition to campaigns to educate pet owners about their responsibility.