KUALA LUMPUR: The public is becoming increasingly concerned about animal abuse cases with complaints showing an upward trend.
Deputy director-general (Development) of the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) Dr Suratan Kamarudin said the number of complaints received rose from 1,000 in 2021 to more than 2,000 last year.
He said the increase did not necessarily indicate an increase in actual abuse cases but reflected the community’s concern.
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"When we conduct our investigations (we find that) only a few cases actually involve neglect or abuse,” he said on the programme Apa Khabar Malaysia over Bernama TV on Monday (July 29).
He said animal abuse or neglect cases can be reported through the MyAnimalWelfare digital platform, which will forward the complaints to DVS field officers.
According to Dr Suratan, the most complaints received involved dogs (5,226 reports cumulatively), followed by cats (1,900 reports).
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Other reports of abuse or neglect involved horses, rabbits and birds, he added.
He said criminal offences involving abuse that cause pain or suffering to animals, such as beating, kicking or excessive confinement, killing, poisoning and using animals such as cockerels and dogs for fighting can be prosecuted under Sections 29 to 32 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
Meanwhile, neglect is defined as a failure to provide basic aspects of animal welfare, such as a suitable home environment, health care and adequate food under Section 34 of the same Act.
"For a criminal offence, a convicted offender can be fined between RM20,000 and RM100,000 or imprisoned for three years, or both.
"For neglect, the fine is between RM15,000 and RM75,000 with the same prison sentence,” he said. – Bernama
