Animal abuse and cruelty still abound

I REFER to news reports and public opinions expressed in The Star on the subject of animal abuse and cruelty and totally agree that animal cruelty must be stopped and that it is no solution to the stray dog problem.

I commend the Veterinary Services Department for its recent initiative to summon a hawker in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, for questioning over alleged dog abuse.

Out of frustration over stray dogs, the hawker had splashed hot water on a stray dog looking for scraps.

Following the circulation of photographs of the hawker and the scalded dog on Facebook by Netizens, the authority concerned acted and summoned the hawker for questioning.

This is not the first time that strays had been scalded. Not many of such inhumane incidents had been reported but thanks to Netizens this latest incident had been exposed.

It is disgusting to see that animal abuse and cruelty is still being perpetrated. I am fully aware that there are many stray dogs in our midst and we must get to the root cause of the problem.

The poor dog is an innocent victim as it was only seeking food for its survival. In all probability, the dog must have been abandoned by its owner, which itself is an act of irresponsibility.

The hawker could have given the hungry dog some food or contacted the SPCA, the local authority concerned or other animal welfare NGOS for assistance.

In view of the stray problem in our midst, I wish to emphasis once again to pet owners that they have a responsibility to help prevent the problem of strays. These owners must be made aware that if they decide to own them, they have a duty to take care of the animals and not just abandon them due to sickness or diseases or when they are no longer wanted or loved.

Let’s have a kind heart for the animals we keep and provide for them with care.

As for the Veterinary Services Department, I hope that it will be more proactive in dealing with cases of animal abuse and cruelty.

There must be more stringent law enforcement. Questioning the culprit is not enough. If there is enough evidence, take legal action in accordance with the law.

On the same matter, I wish to compliment the Petaling Jaya City Council which has now provided an air-conditioned van equipped with a ramp and six cages to transport the canines caught to animal welfare homes.

Compared to developed nations, Malaysia is still very far behind in terms of rescuing and protecting animals which have been abused or ill treated by their owners.

I look forward to the day when we can have, like America, animal cops to take care of abused animals.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Patron, SPCA.