(MY) animal lovers rally

[Guest guest]

Animal lovers rally to remember Sheena the German Shepherd - Malay Mail

CHOW EE TAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24

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Like the 70-odd people who turned up at the 'Remembering Sheena

Campaign Rally' at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

(SPCA) Selangor here last Saturday, I wanted to see a day when animals

would be treated fairly and pet abusers rightly punished.

 

And yes, we could not let Sheena die in vain.

 

The case of the seven-year-old German Shepherd, which had suffered

gross abuse and neglect by her owner and had to be put to sleep last

August, sparked a huge outcry from animal lovers.

 

They were incensed that the owner was only fined RM100.

 

This incident led to a group of activists and NGOs to push for harsher

legislation.

 

Section 44(1d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953 only provides for a

maximum RM200 fine, six months' jail or both for those found guilty of

animal abuse.

 

Shoba Mano, who spearheaded the rally, started a signature drive to

urge the Prime Minister's Department to impose heavier penalties on

animal abusers.

 

Among others, the petition sought to increase the fine from RM200 to

RM10,000 and increase the jail term; to impose a lifetime ban of

ownership on those convicted, and stop the courts from returning

abused pets to convicted abusers.

 

So I turned up for the rally on a hot weekend afternoon with my

animal-loving cousin to make ourselves counted.

 

It was also a chance to visit the SPCA and the animals. It was

heart-rending to see so many unwanted dogs and cats eager for a home

and the need for volunteers at the SPCA.

 

We also signed up there as volunteers to be trained to speak in

schools, colleges, universities and the workplace on animal cruelty

and the proper care of domestic pets.

 

Although not big in number, we were united in our cause and passion.

With placards in hand and with slogans such as 'Say No To Animal

Abuse' and 'Remembering Sheena', we gathered at the entrance.

 

REDFm deejay Ida Mariana taught us to sing a song for the animals

which we rendered with much gusto and passion.

 

After that, Malaysian Kennel Association (Selangor and Federal

Territory) chief trainer Freddy Lim held a demonstration on obedience

training with his dog.

 

Besides Ida and Adam Carruthers from 8TV, actress Susan Lankester was

a volunteer in this campaign while Miss Malaysia/World 2004 Gloria

Ting turned up with her pet Shih Tzu.

 

Selangor and Federal Territory SPCA animal inspector Sabrina Yeap said

she was pleased that the signature campaign had created greater

awareness among the public.

 

The sale of Malaysia's first Dog and Cat Calendar, initiated by

Sherrina K, also helped to collect 2,000 signatures over the past

month.

 

To date, the 'Remembering Sheena campaign' has collected about 40,000

signatures. SPCA is aiming for 60,000 more. The signatures will be

handed to the Government in September.

 

For details and to sign up for the campaign, go to www.spca.org.my or

visit http://remembersheena.blogspot.com.