The deliberate infliction of harm and injury to animals especially to pets and strays among our midst can be construed as an act of cruelty of the highest order.

In Europe and in many civilised societies, such acts of cruelty received maximum condemnation and are viewed seriously by the authorities concerned. The perpetrators of animal cruelty are swiftly arrested and if found guilty, slapped with heavy fines and even jailed.

However, in Malaysia, the issue of animal cruelty seems to get very little attention from the authorities. Animal abusers are rarely charged in the court and such acts of animal cruelty have somewhat increased in frequency based on media reports.

The recent incident in Johor Baru where five men armed with sticks were said to have attacked several harmless stray cats and dogs that were under the care of the Johor Baru Humane Touch Animal Welfare Society in Taman Delima recently is just one typical case.

Animal lovers suspect that daily, across the country, hundreds of animals, pets and strays are been abused and treated cruelly but this goes unnoticed or not reported.

The root cause of all this animal abuse may have to do with the lack of awareness among members of the public especially by the perpetrators on issues related to animal welfare and abuse.

Although the authorities in association with the relevant animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders have been carrying out several campaigns to educate the public on animal welfare, sadly, incidents of animal cruelty and abuse seem to be on the rise in the country.

One have to just drop in one of the animal shelters in the country to see the nature of harm and injuries the poor creatures have been subjected to.

It is apparent that carrying out campaigns to educate the public on animal welfare and pet ownership responsibilities etc are not good enough.We need to amend the archaic Animal Ordinance (1953) to be in line with the modern day demands and challengers.The current maximum fine of RM200 for one found guilty of animal cruelty and abuse is a pittance. It hardly serves as a deterrent or a punitive punishement.

Enforcement officers may find it a waste of time, effort and resources to prosecute the perpatrator in court for a mere RM200 fine. As long as the outdated Animal Ordinance is not amended, I am afraid we are going to read of many more sad and disturbing news about animal abuses and cruelty in our midst.

There have been numerous calls from various animal welfare organisations including the SPCA practically begging to the authorities to amend the Animal Ordinance but for some reason or other, the authorities concerned have kept a complete silence on the issue.

There is no response from the authorities to the numerous letters to the press on this issue. About twenty-five years ago the director-general of the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) Dr Mustaffa Babji promised the public via a press statement that the Animal Ordinance Act would be amended. Several DG's and ministers have come and gone ever since then.

We were told then that the amendment is undergoing ‘fine-tuning’ and it will be ready soon. Sadly we are still waiting and we have to yet hear anything about the promised amendments thus far.

I once again appeal to the good office of the agriculture minister and DG of the DVS to shed some light on this longstanding issue. When will the relevant Animal Ordinace be amended? Is twenty-odd years of ‘fine-tuning’ not enough?