(MY) animal cruelty

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ANIMAL CRUELTY - Marked increase in complaints nationwide - The Malay

Mail 22nd. Jan 2007

by MEERA MURUGESAN

 

IGNORANCE and the lack of awareness on being good pet owners are the

main reasons behind animal cruelty complaints reported nationwide.

Figures compiled by the Veterinary Services Department from 2002 to

2006 also indicated a marked increase in such complaints.

 

A statement by the department, sent to The Malay Mail on Friday in

response to queries on animal cruelty nationwide, showed that in 2002,

there were 60 complaints recorded and in 2006, 203 complaints.

 

The total number of complaints received for the four-year period was 609.

 

" These figures mainly reflect the situation in large cities in the

West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, " said Soh Tian Siong, assistant

enforcement officer for the Veterinary Services Department.

 

The majority of complaints involved household pets like cats and dogs

and most of them are the result of pet owners being ignorant about

providing proper care to animals, including not taking them for

veterinary treatment when necessary.

 

But many complaints may not involve clear-cut or obvious cases of

cruelty or neglect, said Soh.

 

This is why the number that gets prosecuted is much lower than the

number of complaints made.

 

Some complaints are the result of misunderstandings between neighbours.

 

" But there were 12 severe cases of animal cruelty reported during the

four-year period, " he said.

 

There have also been complaints of cruelty involving farm animals such

as chickens, horses and wild animals like monkeys.

 

During 2002-2006, the department recorded four such complaints

involving chickens, 10 involving monkeys, six cases involving horses

and one involving an iguana.

 

Cases involving farm or exotic animals are rare but mostly involve

improper feeding or care.

 

For example, people who keep pet monkeys, sometimes leave them in

cramped cages or chained for long periods.

 

In some cases, the public complain about horses used for riding along

beaches, looking thin or unhealthy, said Soh.

 

The department has a 91.66 per cent success rate when it comes to

prosecution. From 2002 to 2006, it issued 12 summonses for offences

related to animal cruelty and successfully prosecuted 11 cases.

 

The Veterinary Services Department also confirmed that it planned to

propose a higher penalty for animal cruelty but did not provide

further details.

 

Those charged with animal cruelty are liable to a fine of RM200 or six

months jail or both.

 

NUMBER of animal cruelty complaints received

2002: 60 (4)

2003: 62 (4)

2004: 92 (7)

2005: 192 (4)

2006: 203(5)

 

 

The numbers in brackets indicate animals other than cats and dogs. The

total figures for each year include the numbers in the brackets.

 

SUMMONSES registered and prosecutions completed

2002: 1

2003: 2

2004: 7

2005: 2

2006: 0