Latest news with #VeterinaryServicesDepartment
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Over 1,700 animal abuse cases probed since 2020
THE authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty. 'To address such cases, the DVS has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021-2030 – a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,' he said. The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local councils and experts on the issue. Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System. Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added. THE authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty. 'To address such cases, the DVS has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021-2030 – a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,' he said. The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local councils and experts on the issue. Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System. Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added.
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Pop-up zoos condemned for exploitative practices
PETALING JAYA: Leashed to a chair and pacing beside a donation box, a meerkat at a Kuala Lumpur mall has become the face of growing public outrage over animal exploitation in Malaysia's booming pop-up zoo industry. The TikTok video that exposed the scene lasted less than a minute but the backlash was swift. Viewers flooded the comments, calling the display 'cruel', 'heartbreaking' and 'a disgrace'. In the background, shoppers walked by, seemingly unfazed by the small, visibly distressed animal tethered in place for public amusement. Animal welfare groups say what the public saw is just the surface of a much darker problem. 'These animals are not suited for confined spaces or constant human interaction,' said Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president Kalaivanan Ravichandran, condemning the use of exotic species in temporary public exhibits. 'Using them for entertainment disrupts their natural behaviour, and causes physical and psychological stress.' He said the conditions in many of these pop-up exhibits amount to prolonged suffering for the animals. Often operating in legal grey areas, these setups use exotic species as photo props with little oversight or enforcement. 'Most of these setups prioritise profit over proper animal care. We often see signs of stress in the animals, inadequate enclosures and a lack of veterinary oversight,' he said, adding that their use is often unethical and lacks genuine educational or conservation value. He questioned whether operators comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which outlines minimum standards for housing, handling and exhibiting animals. Under the law, organisers must obtain permits from the Veterinary Services Department and Wildlife and National Parks Department, with regular inspections. 'All parties involved, such as event organisers, zoo operators and venue providers, must be held accountable. Organisers must uphold ethical standards, operators must ensure the animals' welfare and venues must enforce compliance with the law.' Kalaivanan also called for stronger enforcement by authorities. 'Laws are only effective when properly enforced. We urge both departments to adopt a firmer stance.' He appealed to the public to report suspected abuse and stop supporting entertainment that exploits animals. 'Animals deserve to be treated with dignity. If you witness mistreatment, do not stay silent. Speak up and report it. Together, we can create a society that protects and respects all living beings.' Veterinarian Dr Salehatul Khuzaimah Mohamad Ali said exotic animals, such as meerkats, are especially vulnerable to stress in captive environments. 'Meerkats are highly sensitive and could develop chronic stress when subjected to unfamiliar environments and constant human interaction. This stress weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to illness.' She added that such animals may exhibit stereotypic behaviours (repetitive, unnatural actions, such as pacing or head bobbing), which are signs of mental distress. Without appropriate shelter or hiding places, they could become aggressive or withdrawn. Long-term confinement could even erase natural behaviours, such as burrowing, climbing or basking. Salehatul warned that cramped conditions and improper flooring could cause musculoskeletal issues while poor diets and irregular feeding may lead to obesity or malnutrition. 'Temporary setups often fail to maintain species-appropriate temperature and humidity. This increases the risk of dehydration, respiratory distress and even organ failure.' Inadequate hygiene and close public contact also raise the risk of parasitic infections, skin diseases and the transmission of zoonotic illnesses. 'A high standard of veterinary care is essential when displaying exotic animals in public settings.' She added that this includes health screenings, regular checkups, behavioural monitoring and proper documentation. 'A veterinarian must assess whether an animal is fit for public display. No animal should be forced to interact or perform under stress or poor health conditions.' She noted that event operators are required to have a qualified veterinarian either on-site or on-call throughout the exhibition period. She urged the public to reconsider the ethics of these exhibits. 'We need to move away from wildlife encounters that prioritise entertainment over welfare. It is time to shift public perception and stop supporting such practices.'
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Over 1,700 animal abuse cases investigated since 2020, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup told Parliament on Monday (July 28). The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty. 'To address such cases, the Veterinary Services Department has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021–2030, a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,' he said in the Lower House. The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local councils and experts on the issue. Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System. Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added. According to him, an animal welfare resource pack had been developed for preschool children to educate them on responsible behaviour towards animals. When asked about the potential adoption of the trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) method to control stray populations, Kurup said the government preferred a 'trap and rehome' approach, where animals are returned only if they have owners. 'This is a more effective method of population control,' he said.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Veterinary Services Department to track down dogs involved in fatal attack of toddler
KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) will identify the dogs which are believed to have mauled a baby to death at an Orang Asli settlement here. The DVS, in a written response to queries from the New Straits Times, said the identification of the animals involved was crucial to facilitate checks for rabies. "While the issue of stray dogs is under the jurisdiction of the local council, once a dog bite case has occurred, the Health Ministry will inform the DVS to conduct checks to control rabies cases. "In this regard, the state DVS will identify the dogs involved and examine it for any clinical signs or symptoms of rabies," it said. It added that for cases involving stray dogs that test positive after sampling, surveillance activities will be carried out within a one to five km radius of the affected area to detect any rabies cases. It was reported that a young couple returning home from work were horrified to find their son, who had been left under the care of his uncle, dead about 20m from their house in an Orang Asli settlement at Sungai Buloh. In the incident on July 22, the couple noticed their front door was ajar and their one-year and seven-month-old toddler was not inside the house. They called out his name, but there was no response. They began searching the settlement and found the boy's body surrounded by stray dogs that had attacked and mauled him to death. Overcome with horror and grief, they carried their son to their car and rushed him to the hospital, but it was in vain. Police received a call at 8.40am from a medical officer at Sungai Buloh Hospital, who reported that a toddler had been rushed unconscious to the emergency department. Despite efforts by the medical team to resuscitate him, the child showed no response. He was pronounced dead at 9.14am. A detailed examination found multiple scratches and bite marks on his head and body, which is consistent with marks of an animal attack. It was also reported that a 19-year-old Orang Asli teen was detained by police to assist in an investigation into the death of the toddler, believed to have been fatally mauled by dogs. The teen, from the Temuan tribe, was arrested around 11.50am on July 24 under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kelantan aims to become national hub for horse breeding industry
BACHOK: The Kelantan goverment aims to turn the state into a hub for the horse industry to realise the developing potential of horse breeding. State Agriculture, Agrofood Industry and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said they were considering the matter and is ready to work with the Veterinary Services Department (DSV) to realise their aim. 'If we look at the number of horse breeders in Kelantan, it really is high as people here love breeding horses as a hobby. So it's very suitable with public interest that's linked to horses. 'There are various quality horse breeds, from small and large breeds in the state,' he said at a media conference after officiating the 2025 national level Animal Welfare Day and the Horse Identification Card Registration here today. With detailed planning and support, the effort would not only boost the livelihood of breeders, but has the potential of turning Kelantan into a new agro-tourism centre capable of attracting both foreign and local tourists. Meanwhile, DVS director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said that Kelantan had great potential to be a hub for the horse industry in Malaysia. It would require a culture of responsible conservation, shoring up registration systems and monitoring, as well as developing training and research programmes to strengthen the industry in a comprehensive manner, she added. - Bernama
