The
mere mention of animal abuse would make any animal lover’s breakfast churn
within his stomach. Relating that to this country, breakfast would come out the
way it went in. The fact is that the state of animal welfare in Malaysia is
disgusting – yes, D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G – and horrendously at that.
While
the thought of animal abuse conjures within the mind images of pitiful dogs and
cats in wasted conditions, it doesn’t just stop at domesticated house pets.
Animal abuse is poaching, illegal animal trafficking and all other heinous
crimes involving wildlife. It is, essentially, causing pain and/or discomfort
to any one animal.
The
laws of this land against such crime against animals are hopelessly pathetic.
It
is literally a joke.
How
many times have we witnessed perpetrators of this offences given freedom to
roam the streets after an insignificant and infinitesimal RM200 fine, only to
repeat their criminal acts?
It
is equivalent to paying school fees…to the school of animal abuse…to learn how
to better avoid detection & apprehension by authorities.
Just
like the infamous Anson Wong case.
Though
he wasn’t punished as absurdly as the RM200 fine mentioned (because he was
caught in the States), we meet Mr Anson again a couple o’ years down the road
in 2010 with the same crime of illegal animal trafficking upon his head.
And
guess what, he boasts “cooperation” with authorities…
Like,
what???
So,
technically if not exactly, in less than a decade he gets caught for stuffing
endangered animals into a bag WITH the help of authorities again?
I
have said enough.
More
recently, an apology was deemed fit enough a punishment for an abuser of a
feline family.
You
see, the hype of the issue died down (not that it’s about the hype) in national
newspapers. Judging by the state of animal affairs here, the case was most definitely
probably chucked aside and the criminal got away – with a mere “sorry”.
For
like what? Killing a family of kittens and rendering their mom helpless and
disdained?
Utter
rubbish!
And
I can’t help but wonder how could the common Facebooker with presumably no
“detective” abilities and facilities, manage to dig up a wealth of information
about the crime, while our dear men-in-blue with far greater inspective capabilities
manage to find nothing at all. It’s either the “tidak apa” attitude or –
nevermind, I rest my case.
…
You
know, it’s kind of like Sherlock Holmes minus the power to induce action to
evidence.
But
I’d rather not read a Sherlock Holmes episode here.
And
I’m sure Mr. Holmes wouldn’t want to either.
That
was just law.
Speak
of enforcement and I’ll put on a sackcloth. Sprinkle ashes over myself, and
gnash my teeth in horror.
Excuse
my graphical exaggeration.
Speaking
of Anson Wong’s case would be sufficient to make the point.
But
here, I want to address something else – our beloved animal affairs-related
officers.
We
have witnessed over our newspapers of how “well” officers or staff of certain local
councils carry out their animal-related duties in the most impeccably evil way
possible.
Stray
and abandoned dogs that are meant to have a second go at life are brutally shot
and slain at the hands of those who are supposed to try their level best to fit
them into a new, loving home.
The
most recent case is the one involving a home pet being DRAGGED (think jagged
tar road) and shot – all these in front of a kid.
And
another one where a therapy dog for an old, widowed woman was shot and killed.
She raised Spunk (the dog) as a puppy and now she’s left to live her remaining
days alone, without the companionship of her dog.
As
I understand, to date, no REAL action has been taken to improve the overall
situation; no REAL move has been made against these hypocritical councillors.
As
a developing nation, have we ever emulated or even considered following our
first world friends’ policies, laws and actions?
Even
if we are not bothered about these precious animals’ welfare, shouldn’t we take
note of experts’ findings that people who abuse animals tend to commit other
violent crimes?
I
don’t see the point in the government’s religious policies if they couldn’t
even be bothered to do justice for the animals, much less care for this weaker
species, which God commands of us.
Mahatma
Gandhi once said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be
judged by the way its animals are treated.”
I
say the day Malaysia has REAL laws against animal abuse is the day she will
gain more respect.
