PETALING JAYA: Expressing deep sorrow and anger over recent cases of abuse and torture involving pets and stray animals, the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor has called for a review of penalties to ensure tougher and more consistent punishment for animal cruelty offenders.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin (pic) said the Federal Government should review the Animal Welfare Act 2015, with relevant agencies working together to strengthen several key aspects to mitigate animal cruelty.
In a statement issued by Istana Alam Shah yesterday, Her Royal Highness said incidents of cruelty toward pets and stray animals have gone viral of late.
“This is not only against the law. It also reflects our failure to uphold compassion toward all creatures and the humanity that forms the foundation of a civilised society,” the statement read.
As Royal Patron of the Stray Free Selangor (SFS) initiative under the management of SPCA Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin condemned acts of torturing, injuring, killing or cruelly treating animals, adding that no form of cruelty toward animals will ever be accepted or tolerated.
“It does not matter what position, race or religion the perpetrator holds. Any party found guilty of animal cruelty must be thoroughly investigated and subject to appropriate legal action,” the statement further read.
Her Royal Highness’ call follows public outcry over the killing of a pet dog in front of its owner in Taman Teluk Gedung Indah, Port Klang, on Wednesday.
A group of men beat and strangled the dog to its death despite the owner pleading for the dog to be released and returned to him, Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) said.
The group said the dog named Rocky remained in the noose until it stopped moving and eventually died, claiming that two officers of the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) were present.
Elaborating, Her Royal Highness asked for a truly compassionate community to be created towards animals and strengthen cooperation between the government, local authorities and animal welfare organisations.
“There should also be compassion translated to action through rescue, treatment, management and protection of animals in a humane manner.
“Compassion should also become the foundation of every policy and action related to animal management. Awareness should also be instilled,” the statement read.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said love for animals should be cultivated from young through education, public awareness and community involvement.
“A state should also be built where every animal has the right to be protected, respected and treated with dignity.
“A society that fails to show compassion to the weakest creatures will ultimately lose compassion toward fellow humans.”
MBDK said it was leaving the matter entirely to the police to conduct a thorough investigation into Rocky’s death.
It confirmed that an operation was carried out on Wednesday between 8.30pm and midnight following complaints from residents of safety concerns due to the increasing number of stray dogs in the area.
