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KUALA LUMPUR – Newly formed animal rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) Suara Haiwan Malaysia is calling for the establishment of “animal control officers” to combat animal abuse.
Its president, Nashriq Ismail Sabri, citing a recent case in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, said the incident that saw local council officers shooting dogs and trespassing onto private property shows a clear need for an agency to be formed specifically to investigate cases of animal abuse.
Speaking to The Vibes, Nashriq, who is the son of newly minted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, acknowledged that there are already established authorities such as the Wildlife and National Parks Department.
However, he said, their specific portfolio on wildlife does not allow them to focus solely on animals, especially domesticated animal abuse cases.
“This comes back to the need of having animal control officers to act as an enforcement agency, which can assist other related agencies.”
The formation of an animal control agency is not unusual, said Nashriq, as similar authorities already exist in countries such as Australia, Turkey and the United States.
“With the formation of such agencies, these countries saw a decrease in the rate of animal cruelty.
“And this is what our NGO wants to replicate: a reduction in animal abuse cases in Malaysia.”
According to a SAYS report on June 22, the Kota Samarahan incident saw local council officers allegedly shooting a resident’s dog, which then ran back into its owner’s house injured.
They then requested the homeowners to open the gate to allow them access to retrieve the animal.
Upon entering the property, the officers not only removed the dog, but also six of its puppies from the premises. All seven animals were then put to sleep by the authorities.
Although the dog owner filed a formal complaint against the local council, it is learnt that the authorities have been giving them the runaround.
Suara Haiwan Malaysia was registered with the Registrar of Societies on March 30.
The NGO has 11 committee members and aims to pursue better animal welfare and reduce cases of animal cruelty. – The Vibes, July 9, 2021
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