There's A 30 Per Cent Increase In Animal Abuse Cases Across Malaysia

Remember last week when a Borneo pygmy elephant was shot over 70 times at close range and had its tusks removed in Sabah?

Unfortunately, that is not an isolated case.

According to Bernama, the Department of Veterinary Services said animal abuse cases has gone up by 30 per cent across the country.

That is very sad and alarming.

The department’s director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam shared that there was an increase from 510 in 2017 to 662 cases in 2018.

In fact, 90 per cent of the animal abuse cases had happened on dogs and cats.

"The increase in the number of animal cruelty cases is mainly due to a rise in public awareness. From January to June this year, at least 190 cases were recorded with the fines imposed totalling RM12,500 from five cases brought to court," he said.

"The number of cases is quite worrying but it is due to public awareness of the need to address animal cruelty in the country."

He urged people to stop abusing animals and reminded that over 20 years of jail and fine await animal abusers under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.