Animal cruelty widespread in Sarawak, say rights groups

INHUMANE treatment of domesticated pets and wildlife, and barbaric acts against strays by local councils are major, widespread problems in Sarawak, said a coalition of three animal rights groups.

The group condemned such cruelty and highlighted the lack of concrete action by those in power to stop animal abuse in Sarawak.

The Humane Animal Society Sarawak, Save Our Strays Sarawak and Street Animals Rescuers Association Bintulu said the recent inhumane treatment of strays in Shah Alam, Selangor reflected a general problem of cruelty against animals in the country, including Sarawak.

Here in Sarawak, inhumane practices against domestic pets and the dumping of kittens and puppies are widespread while local council policies to shoot and kill are a low-level barbaric act, they said.

“There are local authorities that even issue bounties to dog catchers to catch and kill strays, which is a form of low-level barbaric act against these animals.

“Sarawak needs to do more to stop cruelty towards animals via legislation and education, while local councils must initiate mass neutering to contain the stray population.

“To stop rabies, mass vaccination and education campaigns must be stepped up,” said the rights groups.

They said Sarawak also needs to adopt the federal Animal Welfare Act 2015 to criminalise cruelty towards animals and punish those committing such cruelty.

The group wants the state to give local animal rights groups legal enforcement power to stop cruelty against animals.

They also thanked the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor for her public stance against cruelty towards strays in her state and praised her for her recent condemnation of the mass shooting of strays in Shah Alam. – The Vibes, April 7, 2024