Wildlife laws vs Animal Welfare Bill

Shooting of stray dogs and other animals will be banned if the proposed Animal Welfare Bill is passed with all the suggestions intact (Star, 9 Jun 2012). So those canine and pussy lovers should be happy today!

Interesting news today on ‘Inhumane act’ to domestic animals but lets compare the Wildlife Acts on cruelty to wildlife....after reading the proposal on the 'Inhumane act' vs the 'Wildlife act', we could roughly presume that killing a tiger and killing a dog sama-sama saja. If this 'Inhumane act' is justified, then 'Wildlife act' should be amended, if not how can killing a tiger = killing a dog? 

Read the Wildlife act below.....

Under Section 86 of  Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), Laws of Malaysia on Cruelty to wildlife it says

(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who-

(a) beats, kicks, infuriates, terrifies, tortures, declaws or defangs any wildlife;

(b) neglects to supply sufficient food or water to any wildlife which he houses, confines or breeds;

(c) keeps, houses, confines or breeds any wildlife in such manner so as to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering including the housing, confining or breeding of any wildlife in any premises which is not suitable for or conducive to the comfort or health of the wildlife;

(d) uses any wildlife for performing or assisting in the performance of any work or labour which by reason of any infirmity, wound, disease or any other incapacity it is unfit to perform;

(e) uses, provokes or infuriates any wildlife for the purpose of baiting it or for fighting with any other wildlife or animal, or manages any premises or place for any of these purposes; or

(f) wilfully does or wilfully omits to do anything which causes any unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to any wildlife,

commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than RM5,000 and not more than RM50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.

(2) This section shall not apply to any person who wounds any wildlife in the course of lawfully hunting it under this Act.

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Now read the news on dogs and cats....

June 9, 2012

‘Inhumane act’ may be banned

Star

PUTRAJAYA: Shooting of stray dogs and other animals will be banned if the proposed Animal Welfare Bill is passed with all the suggestions intact.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said shooting was “an inhumane act” and there had been too many complaints over the mistreatment of stray dogs.

“Generally, the ministry does not condone nor support such acts,” he said. “However, there is a need to include a clause in the Bill for exceptions, such as in an emergency or for disease control,” he said in an interview.

Banning the shooting of animals is one of several proposals under the Bill, which Chua described as “a stepping stone to strengthen the welfare and protection of animals”.

He said the ministry would hold an Open Day on June 19 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang to gather feedback from the public, NGOs and other stakeholders on how best to improve the Bill.

“Aside from imposing fines and jail terms for offences related to animal welfare, we are also looking into introducing deterrent measures in the Bill,” he said.

“These include disqualifying a person from keeping pets to prevent the offence from being repeated.”

Chua said the Bill would cover all animals, including domesticated pets, livestock and zoo animals.

“Part of the Bill also outlines the responsibility of pet owners. This is subject to debate and as such, we welcome suggestions from the public at the Open Day,” he said.

So as to have a closer working relationship with the public on the issue, Chua said the Bill would also allow people to assist the ministry's officers in eradicating animal cruelty.

“They will not have the same powers and jurisdiction as the officers but they can keep an eye on behalf of the ministry,” he said.

Chua said the Bill would be ready for tabling only after obtaining clarification from the Attorney-General's Chambers.

“However, while waiting for the Bill to be ready, the existing Animal Act 1953 will be amended to impose heavier penalties for animal cruelty,” he said, adding that the ministry hoped to table these changes this year.

Soon, those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000, a year's jail term, or both. Currently, the maximum fine is RM200, a jail term of not more than six months, or both.