IPOH: Animal welfare groups have expressed outrage after a dog was beaten to death in Taman Arkid here, saying the case highlights Malaysia’s weak enforcement of animal protection laws.
Execute AWA founder Sue Ann Kong questioned the point of reforming laws and proposing new policies if enforcement of existing laws were absent to begin with.
“Cruelty cases are literally spiking everyday across the country, and yet, the ratio of online reports submitted to Veterinary Services Department (DVS) compared to perpetrators fairly caught and punished are completely disproportionate.
“Until and unless DVS starts exercising integrity and pride in their job by making examples out of offenders, animal cruelty will continue to reign free in this country,” she said on Monday (Sept 29).
She added that Execute AWA recently launched a national survey to gauge public sentiment on animal welfare governance in Malaysia, describing it as a “reality check” for authorities to restore public confidence.
“Because right now, they have failed to impress anybody on the job,” she added.
Persatuan Pelindung Haiwan Terbiar Ipoh president Irene Boey said the latest case was a clear example of brutality that should not be ignored.
“Enough is enough. There is already clear evidence of a violent man committing a barbaric crime against an innocent animal. There should be no excuse not to punish the offender,” she said.
Boey stressed that NGOs would continue to pressure authorities until action is taken.
“This is why national movements like Execute AWA exist to call upon community synergy to fight against the broken system for animal welfare.
“We cannot and will not allow such cases to take place without anyone going to jail,” she added.
These comments come after several representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Fauziah Paws Care (Selangor NGO),Persatuan Pelindung Haiwan Ipoh, Persatuan Kebajikan Pencinta Anjing Jalanan Ipoh, Noah’s Ark Ipoh, and The Forgotten Soul of Papan Dumpsite lodged police reports on Monday evening at the Ipoh District police headquarters.
