PUTRAJAYA: With the right statutory framework now in place, the Veterinary Services Department will soon be enforcing regulations cited in the 2021-2030 National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan, including one related to pet or animal abandonment.
The department's director-general Datuk Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor said the Animal Welfare Code of Practice introduced earlier was not legally binding and merely served as a guide.
Therefore, action could not be taken on breaches of the code, he added.
Now, however, court action can be taken against pet owners for neglect or abandonment.
"We couldn't do anything (before) when someone breached the code, but with regulations now in force, we can take legal action if someone lodges a complaint (against the owners),” he said.
The Plan, which was launched in April, is a continuation of the 2012-2020 strategic plan and aims to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and other laws, and improve the welfare and well-being of animals.
"Animal welfare development needs to continue to ensure its values are instilled in people from a young age,” said Dr Norlizan.
He considers enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, which came into force on July 1, 2017 thanks to the 2012-2020 strategic plan, a big achievement.
"Without the Act, welfare development would be difficult because special legislation and implementation were required.
"For instance, statutes were needed to conduct surveillance and investigation, as well as prosecute,” said Dr Norlizan.
He said the department had received many complaints about neglected animals and abuse, with 768 recorded in 2020 and 1,249 last year, and that there was a sharp rise in cases involving dogs, cats, horses, cows and exotic animals.
He said that in the first three months of this year alone, the department received 298 complaints.
"People didn’t really care about animal neglect before, but now that there is awareness about it, a reporting channel and statute, we’ve been receiving many complaints,” he added. – Bernama