Breeders fear for their unfed animals

In need of help: Mohd Yusuf feeding his cattle before being placed under quarantine. He hopes some form of arrangement can be made to attend to the animals.

IPOH: A group of fish and livestock breeders in a Kuala Kangsar village who are under home quarantine are worried sick about their animals more than themselves.

Speaking on behalf of 11 breeders, Mohd Yusuf Jaafar, 57, said since villagers in Kampung Senggang were wearing pink and blue wristbands, none of them were allowed to step out of their houses, leaving their cattle, goats and chickens unfed since June 13.

“I am so worried because since we had to put on the wristbands on June 13, we do not know what is happening at our farms.

“Some of my friends who are rearing fish and prawns are in the same predicament,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Mohd Yusuf said he was hoping that some form of arrangement could be made for them to attend to their animals.

“The cattle, goats and chickens, I am assuming, are in the shed, just eating whatever little grass or left- over grains there.

“For the fish and prawns, I have no idea how they are surviving. We, humans, are still getting provisions sent to us, but the animals are left without food,” said Mohd Yusuf, adding that the farms were located about 1km away.

Mohd Yusuf had spoken to the authorities about their predicament but was told they were not allowed to leave their houses.

Out of desperation, he had contacted an animal activist, Dr Ranjit Kaur Mendhir, for advice.

When contacted, Dr Ranjit, a veterinarian, said there were cases of animal welfare neglect whenever the movement control order was announced in the country.

Feeders who go around providing food for stray dogs and cats found it difficult to leave their homes after 8pm, she said.

“There are many feeders who go out after 10pm.

“Some even go to specific locations to feed strays at 1am because these are the times stray animals come out,” she said.

“I was also told that in Kampung Raja in Cameron Highlands, which is under enhanced MCO until June 27, feeders are finding it difficult to feed strays, as the authorities are watching them via drones.

“The authorities concerned must find ways to ensure animals are not left hungry during this pandemic when restriction orders are announced,” added Dr Ranjit.

When contacted, Bukit Chandan assemblyman Maslin Sham Razman said he was aware of the issue and had forwarded the predicament of the livestock farmers to the district office.

He said the district officer had informed him about speaking to the village chief on getting volunteers to feed the animals.

“The district office is liaising with various agencies like the Fisheries and Veterinary Services departments to get the food required, and it will be handed over to the associations concerned,” he said.