Pet Care: Legislation

Do you know there are legislations in Malaysia against cruelty to animals?

Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance, 1952 Chapter 31

e.g. (3) Every person shall be guilty of an offence - (a) who shall cruelly beat, ill-treat, torture… or cause or procure to be beaten… over-driven or overladen any animal; Fine of 500 dollars and imprisonment for 6 months.

The Animal Ordinance, 1953 No. 17 Part IV

e.g. 44(1) Any person who - (d) by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, causes unnecessary pain or suffering… to any animal; Fine of 200 dollars or imprisonment for 6 months or to both.

Local Government Ordinance, 1961 Section 49

e.g. (1) & (20), involving prevention of cruelty to animals; licensing, controlling and destruction of dogs; and prohibiting, restricting and regulating keeping of wild/endangered animals.

What it means: Anything you do or do not do that causes unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal is an offence punishable by law. You MUST:

• provide adequate shelter. (Just like you and me, they can get heat stroke under the sun, and they can catch a cold in the rain)
• provide food, water and medical attention. (Just like you and me, they need a balanced diet, they can get ill and they need doctors too.)
• NOT physically abuse any animal. (Just like you and me, they want to be loved, rather than being abandoned or beaten.)

Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.