CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: Authorities must take firm action
"I HOLD that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man," said Mahatma Gandhi.
The pictures and videos of a dog being thrown into a manhole by two foreign students shocked the nation.
Even several local and foreign animal welfare organisations raised concern over this intolerable act of cruelty. Now, the big question is, what are we Malaysians going to do about it?
The video, which went viral on Facebook, provoked animal lovers and people with an ounce of humanity in them to criticise and condemn this wanton killing of an innocent mongrel.
The perpetrators, however, claimed that the dog is still alive. Online petitions are being circulated via Facebook, email and certain websites, seeking punishment of the wrongdoers.
The recent gathering at the Multimedia University (MMU) campus in Cyberjaya on Aug 6 by Animal Action Group also clearly shows the wrath of caring Malaysians.
But all these will never meet their purpose if the authorities aren't paying heed to the seriousness of such ill-treatment towards animals in this country.
First of all, the Animal Act 1953 itself is not sufficient in terms of the penalty imposed upon the convicted.
Most of the time, the convicted person will get away with a lenient fine. But is this penalty equivalent to the amount of pain and torture the animals have gone through?
Absolutely not. Hence, an amendment for heavier fines is definitely needed. According to the adviser of Animal Action Group Sharul Nizam Rahim, this issue has tarnished the good name of the country.
It is time for the authorities to prove this statement wrong. It is also incumbent upon the management of MMU to take stern action against these students if they are found guilty.
We hope the Malaysian authorities will do what is necessary to be the voice for the voiceless. For, in you, we have put our faith.
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