ANIMAL LAWS: Do more to get to the bottom of stray problem

2009/11/09

S.M. MOHD IDRIS for Sahabat Alam Malaysia

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) would like to call on the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry and the Department of Veterinary Services to review the Animal Ordinance 1953.

There have been calls by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public for a revamp of the law to include penalties which are significant enough to send out a clear message that animal cruelty would not be tolerated.

The Animal Ordinance, which is more than 50 years old, has become obsolete.

Most developed countries have revised their laws several times in line with society's expectations as people have become more sophisticated and educated on animal welfare.

The law in Malaysia is inadequate to deal with many animal abuses.

In the fight against the burgeoning stray population caused by frequent dumping of dogs and cats on the streets, the collection, sheltering and destruction of strays treat only the symptoms of the disease known as the pet population explosion, but not the cause.

Even then, the catching and destroying of strays adopted by local authorities are cruel, going by media reports.

Dog catchers recruited by the councils are untrained and ignorant of the methods to catch, handle and put down strays.

Local councils spend too much time and money disposing of strays while too little is done to educate the public on how to treat animals correctly.

Pet shops, too, contribute to the stray problem when people begin buying pets on an impulse.

Councils should not be nonchalant in their attitude towards animal welfare but should enforce legislation on improving the licensing and regulatory systems for the sale and breeding of pets.

The animal registration system, which now applies to dogs, should be expanded to include cats and other pets through micro-chipping to prevent pets being abandoned.

It is vital that the authorities work together with NGOs and animal welfare groups in coming out with laws covering every aspect of animal rights and welfare legislation.