Legislative Reform for Stray Animal Protection
PETALING JAYA: Thirty-two animal welfare groups have submitted a memorandum to Parliament, demanding legislative reform for the protection of strays.
Initiative and Demands
The initiative was organised by the Global Human Rights Federation and led by Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) in collaboration with the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association. The memorandum lists eight key demands, including for the government to set up a body under the Prime Minister’s Department to monitor, enforce and support humane practices in animal welfare nationwide.
This body would oversee the local authorities’ compliance with humane practices and address cases of animal cruelty. The other demands include reforms to the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to prohibit cruel treatment of strays and harsh capture techniques, mandate a national trap-neuter-return programme, and strict regulation of animal breeders.
Inhumane Treatment of Strays
The groups also demanded the transformation of animal pounds operated by local authorities into no-kill facilities to ensure that rehabilitation and adoptions can take place. The memorandum was initiated following the culling of a stray dog named Kopi in Terengganu.
Last month, 13 NGOs demanded action by the veterinary services department against municipal officers who kill stray dogs, after Kopi’s case went viral on social media. The NGOs claimed that municipal officers tasked with managing the stray population often resort to inhumane practices, including beating the dogs with iron rods and dragging them by the neck.
Submission of Memorandum
SAFM president Kalaivanan Ravichandran told FMT that the memorandum was received by deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kula Segaran and several others, including Bera MP and former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Kampar MP Chong Zhemin.
"It is time to stop the inhumane treatment and ensure accountability in how stray animals are managed in our communities," Kalaivanan said.
Conclusion
The memorandum submitted by the 32 animal welfare groups highlights the urgent need for legislative reform to protect stray animals in Malaysia. The demands made by the groups are reasonable and necessary to ensure that stray animals are treated with dignity and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the memorandum submitted by the 32 animal welfare groups?
A: The memorandum demands legislative reform for the protection of strays, including the establishment of a body to monitor and enforce humane practices in animal welfare nationwide.
Q: What are the key demands made by the groups?
A: The groups demand reforms to the Animal Welfare Act 2015, the establishment of a national trap-neuter-return programme, and strict regulation of animal breeders, among others.
Q: Why was the memorandum initiated?
A: The memorandum was initiated following the culling of a stray dog named Kopi in Terengganu, which sparked outrage and calls for action against inhumane treatment of stray animals.