BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Penang Veterinary Services Department seized 431kg of pig carcasses worth RM63,500 which were slaughtered outside of licensed abattoirs.

       Penang DVS director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the department had implemented two operations in the Butterworth area, after almost a month of intelligence work, early this morning.

       "A total 431 kg of pig carcasses suspected to have been slaughtered outside licensed abattoirs or approved by the department were successfully seized in both operations in Kubang Semang and Seberang Jaya at 2.35am and 3.50am, respectively," she told a press conference here on Wednesday (June 2).

       She said the seizures were the first under the Animals (Control of Slaughter) Rules 2009 in Penang after the law was enforced last May 1.

       Dr Saira Banu said DVS also seized a lorry and a pick-up truck. - Bernama