Human cruelty and the betrayal of an animal’s trust Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:11
By Jeswan Kaur
Five years ago, when a German Shepherd by the name of Sheena was abandoned by her owner, the dog died a painful death. With no water to drink or food to eat, the dog's internal organs failed and Sheena died of starvation.
The irresponsible owner claimed he was busy moving house, but it was obvious he wanted to get rid of this faithful guard dog of seven years.
Sheena’s subsequent death caused an outcry among animal lovers who were willing to punish the owner themselves if they could get their hands on him.
Lien Chong San of USJ 17, Subang Jaya received just a slap on the wrist from the law – he was fined a pathetic RM100 in default of two days’ jail.
He was charged under Section 44 (1) (d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953, which carried a maximum fine of RM200 or a maximum six months jail or both.
Instead of taking responsibility for Sheena's well-being, Lien took the easy way out and let Sheena die a painful death. Could he not have made arrangements to have the dog adopted?
Did Lien not know of the existence of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) which could have helped him find Sheena a new owner?
What is revolting to note is the zero value and respect the law places on animals. The Animal Act Ordinance 1953 has little sympathy for animals, looking at its absurd penalty of a maximum fine of RM200 or a jail term of six month
The ordinance came under fire after animal lover Sabrina Yeop, formerly of SPCA Selangor, revealed her frustrations at the light sentences imposed on animal abusers. Together with a SPCA volunteer Dawn Peacock, Yeop drafted the SPCA petition to amend the Animal Ordinance 1953.
Since 1953, only two or three abusers received jail sentences and that too, never more than two days. Fifty two years later and the situation remains unchanged as Sheena’s heartless owner was only slapped a RM100 fine.
The government passed the new Animal Act 2006 but typically, the Act was a cosmetic attempt by the government to claim its concern over the issue of animal abuse.
Sadly, not a single provision of the Animal Ordinance 1953 was changed. Why? Have the lawmakers no heart, forgetting how the lovable Sheena met her death?
Animal rights non-existent
Could religion have anything to do with coming to the rescue of dogs i.e. dogs are an issue and the DVS has no interest in them?
It was reported that in a recent incident in Johor Baru, five men armed with sticks attacked several harmless stray cats and dogs which were under the care of the Johor Baru Humane Touch Animal Welfare Society in Taman Delima.
In 2005, The Star reported an animal abuse case. A cat breeder was charged for neglecting the cats he used for breeding by forcing them into small cages and not cleaning out their own faeces, resulting in an unbearable stench.
If the animal abuse is not heartbreaking enough, the indifferent attitude of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has worsened matters. The public has often complained that they received no response from the department each time they reported an abuse.
In Sheena’s case, the newspapers reported that the neighbour telephoned DVS three times and yet the department did nothing. Now, why the lackadaisical attitude in rescuing abused animals?
Could religion have anything to do with coming to the rescue of dogs i.e. dogs are an issue and the DVS has no interest in them? Until and unless religion is used to discriminate animals, Malaysia’s dogs and cats have little hope of being saved.
It is baffling why the government has little interest in creating stiffer penalties for animal abusers. Animals will be given no respect by their owners if the law provides negligible punishment.
There are times that the court returns the abused animals to the abusers even after a guilty verdict is pronounced. This show of no pity for animals gives out a message to society that it is alright to harm or abuse animals.
More recently, online news portal Malaysiakini carried a letter from a reader by the name of M Nisha who wrote about the ghastly animal abuse at the Kepong Central KTM station. The incident took place on March 15 at 3pm.
The writer said she heard a dog howling in pain and then she saw the canine tied to the grille near the station. The dog’s legs and neck were bound tightly to the grille and a piece of wood had been shoved down its throat! The dog was bleeding and lying in its faeces.
When she confronted the KTM workers they said the culprits were the Kuala Lumpur City Hall workers who said a minister would be visiting the station the following week.
Malaysians use people, abuse animals
It is deplorable to learn that just to facilitate a minister’s visit, City Hall workers will resort to such cruelty. They have no qualms murdering dogs or cats just to cover up for their otherwise questionable work ethics.
Everyone knows just how “efficient” the City Hall workers are. But to abuse a dog or cat is sickening and even more pathetic is the fact that the minister in question cared two hoots about animals rights to take the workers involved to task.
Current prime minister Abdul Najib Tun Razak has no time for animals because they are in no position to give him their votes, hence they are useless to him.
That’s why as a shrewd politician he devised the claim ‘rakyat didahulukan pencapaian diutamakan’. He has made no mention of animal care ever since taking over leadership of Malaysia.
In fact none of the country’s prime ministers can be remembered for having had any pets. Their inability to reach out to animals is reflected in the shameful penalty in the Animal Ordinance 1953 and now Animal Act 2006.
If any of the politicians or leaders had any love for animals, they would have been aghast at the way Sheena was abused and the hopeless punishment given to her owner.
But as animals have no voice, they cannot cry out against the abuse they suffer, so there is no need for the politicians or the government to worry about being accused of not doing their job.
I throw Najib a challenge – do whatever it takes to reflect love, compassion and respect for animals by everyone irrespective of their position or status. Amend the toothless Animal Act 2006. Be they pet owners or local council workers, none must be spared.
No more abuse of animals to please VIPs or get into their good books. Also, do not spare local council workers who are merciless in dealing with stray cats and dogs.
End cruelty towards animals
If countries like India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong can display compassion towards animal welfare through stiffer penalties against abusers, what is stopping Malaysia?
But as animals have no voice, they cannot cry out against the abuse they suffer, so there is no need for the politicians or the government to worry about being accused of not doing their job.
India is leading in the increasing number of convictions and stiff penalties for animal abuse. One court in India stopped bullock cart races during temple festivals because the cows are beaten with sticks to make them run faster.
UAE’s laws not only protect domestic pets but also stray animals. Abuse of an animal is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of not more than RM10,000 or both.
Several years ago Hong Kong passed The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006 which impose stiffer penalties for animal cruelty.
The fine was raised from US$641 to US$25,641 and a jail term of three years. The government even set up a hotline to report abuse and citizens could call the police who are given the authority to arrest animal abusers.
And what about Malaysia? The politicians here are too busy with political shenanigans to even spare a thought for animals, be they pets or strays.
SOS to save animals
Like in Hong Kong, Malaysia too needs a hotline to report animal abuse. Animal abusers must be made to do community service at animal shelters besides serving jail term, all to make them realise that an animal's life is just as precious as a human's, if not more.
Animals shelters like SPCA and PAWS must be assisted by way of funds or land space to enable them to shelter animals comfortably. Another important move is to educate children to show affection towards animals and to become responsible pet owners.
Set up ‘love animals’ clubs in primary and secondary schools and continue in colleges and universities. It is not only humans, animals too need love, and lots of it.
And it is not too much to ask for a ministry to dedicate itself to deal with animal affairs, is it? If Najib could upon becoming the country’s sixth prime minister quickly visit places like Puduraya and Brickfields, why has he not visited the animals shelters SPCA and PAWS.
Why did he not set a precedent by adopting a cat or two and encourage his colleagues to do so? Is it very difficult to work with corporate companies and reward those who are genuine animal lovers and who adopt pets from shelters?
The government can help sponsor ‘adopt-a-pet’ to orphanages and old folks by subsidising the cost of maintaining a pet.
Obviously, there is a lot that can be done to provide animals at shelters a home and a family if only the government is dedicated and committed to saving animals.
Having pets does wonders for one’s health and Najib must set an example by giving cats at shelters a home and family. Life is not all about politics and power, it is also about sharing love with animals, be they cats or dogs, strays or pedigree.
Najib and family, please set an example and go to the aid of the many adorable cats looking for loving families at SPCA and PAWS shelters.
SPCA can be contacted at 03-42565312/42535179 and PAWS at http://www.paws.org.my. There are over 400 beautiful animals comprising kittens, cats, puppies and dogs at the SPCA Animal Shelter in Ampang Jaya. And just like Valentine's Day is much celebrated, remember too, to celebrate World Animal Day on Oct 4.
Its message is simple - to celebrate animal life in all its forms and to celebrate humankind's relationship with the animal kingdom.
