Animal Welfare Bill Consultation - Real Bite Or Just Talk Shop?

DG of Vet Services Addressing Session

The following is an observation taken from Cruzin Thots blogged by Cruzeiro on the Animal Welfare Bill public consultation that was held recently. (Pictures are courtesy of Petpositive volunteer Nicholas Foo.) 

 

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Animal Welfare Bill

Last Tuesday, I had the privilege to attend a forum organised by the DVS on the proposed Animal Welfare Bill (please participate in the survey).

So while I congratulate the DVS for organizing this very healthy development, I have to apologize if I'm being cynical (after all the things we have seen in the recent past)- my concern was if was simply a talk-shop organized as a public relations exercise. 

Nevertheless- I attended, hoping for the best possible outcome.

The event began with the explanation of the draft of proposed bill by Dr. Quaza, after which the Q & A session started.

Truth be told, much of the concerns were addressed by the proposed bill- including the issue of abandonment, strays management, proper guidelines on pet/animal ownership, euthanasia, surgical mutilation of animals, slaughter, health etc.

Councillor Anthony from MBPJ (and also President of Petpositive) queried if the enforcement agencies would be subject prosecution should they themselves violate the laws on animal cruelty. The reply seemed a little ambiguous ("they are all with the government"- so how?) although they affirmed that enforcers are definitely bound by the same laws.
 

IMO, a reply saying that an "ombudsman" can be appointed to oversee operations- would have been more constructive. After all, many contracted "dog-catchers" aren't exactly the sharpest minds around, nor are many of the local pounds 5-star Dog Hotels.

One another point- The proposed bill suggests that the animal has the right to shelter, food etc- but we have situations wherein dogs are abandoned by owners (creating strays) because certain developments forbid dog ownership based on the misinterpration of Pt II (d) of the Third Schedule of the "Strata Titles Act" (STA), which states that 

"A parcel proprietor shall not:- 

(d) keep any animal in his parcel or on the common property 

which may cause any annoyance to other proprietor"

Strangely, this above law seems to be applied only to dogs (there seems to be no issue with other straying animals, even if they scratched your cars, stole food from your kitchen, carried diseases or even pissed/ poo-ed in your house). I do not understand how "health authorities" (or the DVS) do not see straying cats which are known vectors, as a nuisance or health menace- and so not have licencing laws or guidelines for them.

Many councils in urban areas these days have chosen to have a "lazy" interpretation of the above prohibition (by conveniently neglecting the second half of the sentence- in bold above), and denying licences to dogs  in these communities- even if they weren't a nuisance to the neighbours in any way.
 

Some "enforcers" have even dragged animals away from their owners into pounds, and subjected them to the cruel fate of spending time in the very dirty/unhealthy local pounds. This has led to abandonment of dogs- which in turn compounds the problem of strays (which this law incidentally wants to address), which in turn becomes a social/health problem.
 

Do enforcers have a right to take a dog away from its master- even if the master complies with all the guidelines? I think not.
 

How does this law address such violations?

This is in fact, also partly what Councillor Anthony has queried of the Animal Welfare Bill.

We do know that people have dogs which are part of their family, disabled have service dogs, and many have dogs just as watchdogs.  

Many dogs are single master animals and are attached to their master/family for life. Just as man has the right to own an animal- dogs (in this case) in turn become attached their owners as their master. 

Aren't these animals entitled to have their master (wherever they may live) if the master complies with the guidelines? To deprive these animals of their master based on a "lazy" interpretation of the law, in my POV amounts to cruelty.

Gandhi once said, 

"The more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is 

to protection by man from the cruelty of man."

Therefore, this proposed "Animal Welfare Bill" not only should one to cover the proper conduct of man in owning/handling animals- but should also be able to educate and help man understand the animals he owns.
 

If it fails to protect the animal's right to be owned by its master- the law fails in this very fundamental role to protect the animal from the shortcomings of glib-minded humans.
I certainly hope the DVS would look into this matter seriously.

Lastly- I would like to once again congratulate the DVS for an excellent job at organizing the very constructive forum, to get feedback from the public. 

More such public consultations should be held from all departments/ministries before tabling of Bills in Parliament.
 

Posted by Cruzeiro at 14:04 0 comments 

 

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Shooting Of Animals May Be Banned

‘Inhumane act’ may be banned

By YUEN MEIKENG
meikeng@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: Shooting of stray dogs and other animals will be banned if the proposed Animal Welfare Bill is passed with all the suggestions intact.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said shooting was “an inhumane act” and there had been too many complaints over the mistreatment of stray dogs.

“Generally, the ministry does not condone nor support such acts,” he said. “However, there is a need to include a clause in the Bill for exceptions, such as in an emergency or for disease control,” he said in an interview.

Banning the shooting of animals is one of several proposals under the Bill, which Chua described as “a stepping stone to strengthen the welfare and protection of animals”.

He said the ministry would hold an Open Day on June 19 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang to gather feedback from the public, NGOs and other stakeholders on how best to improve the Bill.

“Aside from imposing fines and jail terms for offences related to animal welfare, we are also looking into introducing deterrent measures in the Bill,” he said.

“These include disqualifying a person from keeping pets to prevent the offence from being repeated.”

Chua said the Bill would cover all animals, including domesticated pets, livestock and zoo animals.
“Part of the Bill also outlines the responsibility of pet owners. This is subject to debate and as such, we welcome suggestions from the public at the Open Day,” he said.

So as to have a closer working relationship with the public on the issue, Chua said the Bill would also allow people to assist the ministry's officers in eradicating animal cruelty.

“They will not have the same powers and jurisdiction as the officers but they can keep an eye on behalf of the ministry,” he said.

Chua said the Bill would be ready for tabling only after obtaining clarification from the Attorney-General's Chambers.

“However, while waiting for the Bill to be ready, the existing Animal Act 1953 will be amended to impose heavier penalties for animal cruelty,” he said, adding that the ministry hoped to table these changes this year.

Soon, those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000, a year's jail term, or both. Currently, the maximum fine is RM200, a jail term of not more than six months, or both.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Inching Closer To Malaysian Animal Welfare Act

DATELINE: PUTRAJAYA  

MALAYSIA IS ALL THE MORE CLOSER NOW THAN SHE EVER WAS BEFORE IN HAVING HER FIRST ANIMAL WELFARE ACT.

THE MOVE WILL PUT THE NATION IN PAR WITH MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE REGION THAT ALREADY HAVE LAWS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ANIMALS. 


This was confirmed after the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) held its first protem committee meeting at its headquarters here earlier this afternoon.

The committee is being called the Animal Welfare Advisory Council or AWAC.

Once officially formalised, the group is expected to give increased powers to the DVS in order to take effective action against acts of animal cruelty all over the country.  

More than half a dozen nongovernmental organisations were present for the very first meeting of its kind.

They included PETPOSITIVE from Kuala Lumpur, SPCA Selangor and Noah's Ark of Ipoh and Johor as well as Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) from Penang.

Dr Aziz: A milestone

"We have achieved a milestone with our first meeting today," said an elated Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamalludin, the director-general of the DVS who chaired the meeting.

"This gives us a much-needed mandate that will eventually lead to an animal welfare bill in Parliament," he added.

Dr Aziz, who mooted the idea of AWAC, was delighted with the room filled with animal activists of more than 30 people. 

He fielded many questions and comments from them during an almost three-hour session.

These also included some direct criticisms against the DVS. 

Nine pedigrees killed in Kuala Langat

Some saw the DVS as an institution that was too slow to act on previous cases of animal cruelty.

According to Dr Aziz, the next crucial step for AWAC is to get the new committee members endorsed by the Cabinet.

This will be done as soon as possible, he promised.

Once that is out of the way, AWAC will feverishly start working on the all-important Animal Bill in order to present it for the next  Parliamentary sitting in 2011. 

He said with everyone working together, Malaysia could very well have an Animal Act by the start of 2012 or even earlier!

AWAC will cover five issues under subcommittees. 

They are pet animal companions; sports and recreational animals; animals related to food; animals in research and laboratories and wild animals.

Whilst everyone were in high spirits at the meeting, some animal NGOs decided to take a more cautious approach to the news. 

SAM was all thumbs up for the first meeting but told PET+BLOGSPOT that they preferred to take a "wait-and-see approach" before saying anything more.

However for Noah's Ark Ipoh, it was good news all the way. 

A representative said that she just couldn't wait for AWAC to get started.       


PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support. Thank you!

Historic First Animal Welfare Council Meeting In Putrajaya This Afternoon

DATELINE: PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE, PETALING JAYA

ENTHUSIASM, HOPE AND A NEW SENSE OF ENERGY.

THESE ARE THE KEY WORDS THAT ARE ON THE MINDS OF MANY ANIMAL LOVERS AND ACTIVISTS TODAY.

THAT'S BECAUSE MORE THAN A DOZEN OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO CONVENE AT PUTRAJAYA LATER THIS AFTERNOON. 

THEY WILL BE ATTENDING A HISTORIC MEETING THAT IS SCHEDULED TO FINALLY BE THE CATALYST TO SET THE STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE COUNTRY. 

CALLED THE ANIMAL WELFARE ADVISORY COUNCIL, THE FIRST PROTEM COMMITTEE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30PM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY SERVICES' HEADQUARTERS.  

Internet file pix

The meeting will be chaired by Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamalludin, Head of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) who also is the one to spearhead the special committee.

The committee's first mission is to set up an animal welfare bill as soon as possible. 

No agenda has been given with the invitation letters. 

Dr Aziz with animal welfare groups on Nov 16, 2010

However, one can expect today's session to pick the members who will sit in the council, particularly the nongovernmental organisations. 

The DVS will probably also set out a plan of action for everyone in the committee for the important tasks ahead.

"I'm really looking forward to participating in the event," beamed  Dr Ranjit Kaur yesterday to PET+BLOGSPOT.

File pix: Dr Ranjit (right)

Dr Ranjit, who serves as treasurer to Noah's Ark of Ipoh, was elated when the Ipoh City Council (MBI) banned dog-shooting recently. 

She said she had not only been working for the past seven years to stop the MBI from shooting dogs but she also saved a stray she named 'Bullet' after it was shot in July of this year.

The one-year old canine victim has now found a happy home with the veterinarian.

Massacre in Kuala Langat

"I must say a big thank-you to the DVS role in helping to stop the dog shooting practice everywhere," added the vet who has had her practice in Ipoh Gardens Town for the past 25 years.

The other groups that is expected to be present at this afternoon's meeting are the SPCAs from Selangor, Seremban and Ipoh. PAWS should also be present.

The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and the Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) will be represented by Francis Siva, Mr and Mrs Yam Tong Woo and Anthony SB Thanasayan. 

The latter, Our President, will also be representing the Canine Advisory Teams (CAT) of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

Disabled protest cruelty in Kuala Langat

Sepang Councillor Terrasie Lau will also be present.

For the first time in more than three years, Sahabat Alam Malaysia will also be at the DVS meeting.

Please stay tuned. 

We hope to give you LIVE updates on Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter as well as a full report later in PET+BLOGSPOT.       


PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support.

Thank you!