Ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you that humans still top the ranks of the most vicious killers on planet Earth. We kill animals in much greater quantities and much faster than any of the most feared beasts. Sadly, humans often kill animals aimlessly. Human ignorance is the biggest killer of innocent wild creatures.

Yet, many narrow-minded individuals shamelessly blame animals for unjustified evils. Malaysia is on the way towards banning pets from plain fear of these domesticated creatures. 'You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed,' said Antoine de Saint-Exupry's fox . I hope Malaysians realise this before it is too late.

The views on dogs, cats in the Malaysian media are appalling - the blame is pushed from pets to their owners and then on to the hapless victims. Unfortunately, animals have no voice and their safety depends on humans.

Therefore, I can't help blaming the society in general for its intolerance and neglect of issues related to animals and their rights. Yes, rights. In mature societies, animals have rights.

The attitude of Malaysian society is that of medieval witch-hunters.

'Ban dogs if they are of no use!', 'Suppress cat owners if dog owners have to suffer!', and 'Come down harsh on unscrupulous pet owners!'.

Doesn't all this sound barbaric? Please, don't get me wrong, I completely agree that pet ownership should be strictly regulated - but not for the sake of humans. We need these rules for the sake of our pets and their security.

How can we ban pets? What about friendship? Animals, especially domestic pets, are foremost our friends. And just for this reason they have the right to be loved, protected and respected.

When a narrow-minded jerk barks and makes faces at my dog when I walk it (on a short leash, with a bottle of drinking water, and a poo-bag ready in my hand), doesn't that insult me as a pet-owner?

The sight of teeny-weeny newborn kitten doomed to die on the streets of KL mortifies me when I think of my own street kitty, adopted from an animal shelter in America. As an equestrian and a horse lover, I can't help wondering how a sensible person could approach this gentle and cowardly animal from the back on a motorbike - that devilish-sounding machine which must have made everyone flinch in shock at least once.

Humans, be fair to those you share this planet with. We have ruined natural habitats of many animals, killed them to produce trinkets and luxury items, entertained ourselves with hunting and fishing.

It's only right that we treat fairly those animals which we have taken into our homes. We are important to them, we are their only hope. How can we betray them like this?