Rising animal abuse spurs call for education, enforcement, says MTPN
SIBU (Aug 14): The National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) has called for a holistic approach to strengthen animal protection efforts towards shaping a more moral and responsible society.
Its Sibu branch chairman Lucas Lau said such cooperation should involve families, schools, communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and enforcement agencies.
'The public is also encouraged to take an active role in reporting and documenting cases of animal abuse as an initial step to ensure justice and animal welfare in the country,' he said in a statement yesterday.
According to Lau, cases of animal abuse in Malaysia have shown a significant rise among school students and teenagers.
Data from the Department of Veterinary Services recorded 7,613 cases from 2021 to mid-2024, including 5,226 cases involving dogs and 1,900 involving cats, in both urban or rural areas.
'This phenomenon reflects the failure of the education system and social environment in instilling empathy and civic responsibility among the younger generation,' he stressed, adding that animal abuse is a sign of moral and social decline in society.
He said Malaysia has in place laws such as the Animals Act 1953 and the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which provide for heavy penalties including fines of up to RM100,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.
The Penal Code is also applicable to crimes against animals.
'However, enforcement remains a major challenge, as the implementation of these laws has not yet reached the desired level of effectiveness,' he stressed.
He pointed out that studies have found that individuals involved in animal abuse often have a higher tendency to commit other violent acts, such as domestic violence and social crimes, making animal abuse an early indicator of the breakdown of moral values.
Among the main contributing factors are lack of awareness on animal rights, negative social influences, and weak parental supervision.
He emphasised the critical role of parents is critical in educating children about love and responsibility towards animals.
He added schools should consider introducing animal welfare-based education modules and collaborate with NGOs to raise awareness among students.
'Recommended intervention measures include implementing education programmes and awareness campaigns at school level, collaboration with NGOs, and using interactive approaches to cultivate empathy and social responsibility among students.
'Strengthening enforcement through appropriate punishments and thorough investigations is also crucial to ensure justice for animals,' Lau concluded.
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