SHAH ALAM – Animal welfare organisations and pet lovers lauded the move for the Veterinary Services Department to enforce regulations cited in the 2021-2030 National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan (NAWSP), including one related to pet or animal abandonment.
It was reported that the Animal Welfare Code of Practice introduced before this was not legally binding and acted as a guideline, hence action could not be taken if it was breached.
However, the move to enforce regulations under the NAWSP would enable the department to take legal action when someone lodges a complaint against pet owners who neglected, abuse or dumped their pets, among others.
Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) applauded the move for the regulation to be enforced.
SPCA Selangor General Manager Kelvin Cheah said enforcement of the rule would encourage more responsible ownership of pets.
"We deal with so many cases, not just strays but also pets that were willingly sent to us.
"There are many reasonings behind their action like moving out, sudden development of allergies, pregnant wife and others.
"There are better ways on how to deal with this issue when you can't take care of your pets, not just simply placing them in shelter or roadside hoping the animals to find food by themselves," he told Sinar Daily.
On May 10, the Veterinary Services Department revealed that they received numerous complaints on neglected animals and abuse, with 768 recorded in 2020 and 1,249 in 2021, and that there was a sharp rise in cases involving dogs, cats, horses, cows and exotic animals.
Animal lovers expressed their gratitude on the revelation that the regulation would be enforced, and actions could be taken against the offenders.
Leena Shan, an educator attached to a private school said as an animal lover, she agreed with the move.
"Pets owners who abandoned their pets should be punished. Only then will there be an awareness (to others) and we can eventually reduce the number of neglected animals and abuse," she said.
Meanwhile, Founder of Together Angels Gayaetari Tanaraj said the issue of pet abandonment was the main reason she started her small shelter to help the strays.
"Its heart-wrenching to know that pets owner are willing to let go of their pets.
"With such rules, I believe the number of abandonment pets will reduce, and serious punishment should be given (to the offenders). The government must come up with more rules involving pets and enforce it so that the owners will take it seriously," she said.
Human Resource Officer Charnan Murliah agreed that the rule should be enforced as many pet abandonement cases occurred in the country.
"With such rules, I think we can reduce the incidents," he said.
The NAWSP, which was launched in April, is a continuation of the 2012-2020 strategic plan aimed at strengthening enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and other laws and improving animals' welfare and well-being.
The Animal Welfare Act, which started on July 1, 2017 thanks to the 2012-2020 NAWSP, was considered a big achievement.