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Has our
society gone to the dogs? |
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WHAT price an animal's life? According to the Animals Ordinance 1953, Part IV: Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, RM200 or six months' jail, or both. The most obvious reaction is that, in today's world, RM200 is hardly crippling. And, while six months' jail is nothing to scoff at, this is rarely applied in successfully prosecuted cases. Little wonder then that the SPCA and other groups seek amendments to the ordinance, calling for harsher penalties as deterrents to animal cruelty. This is, indeed, an admirable campaign that deserves the widest support. However, one point needs to be highlighted: how this campaign reflects on our society. This point is the more salient in view of our nation's pursuit of development. It demands the same attention as Wawasan 2020, “zero squatter” or any record-breaking event you care to mention. As a civil society, bound by traditional mores and religious beliefs and tempered by a respect for education, animal cruelty should be an oxymoron. |
That this is not the case, that the SPCA et al believe our nation needs harsher laws to combat these odious acts, is nothing less than an indictment against our society. Herein lies the contradiction: We need harsher penalties to stop cruelty to animals, yet we are supposedly a civil society, full of “good” people. Yet, this very newspaper has carried reports of acts of animal cruelty - as well as of murders, rapes, robberies and abuse of human beings. Not all of us, it seems, are “good” people, and society has the responsibility of protecting us - and animals - from those who are not. Again, SPCA's campaign is an admirable one, and deserves the widest support. At the same time, we need to look within and make changes there. After all, fines and jail time will not stop all the laws in the world from being broken. In another case, in Dec 2003, the department confiscated 16 K-9 dogs (Alsatian) from a widow who had mistreated the canines and neglected them. |
Suselah Arjunan, from Rawang, had wanted to breed dogs for sale. But, the animals were found in deplorable living conditions. The dogs suffered from malnutrition and the kennels were filthy. The dogs were emaciated and badly infested with ticks while their living area was infested with flies. After surrendering the dogs to SPCA, Suselah admitted to having little knowledge in dog breeding, kennel management and animal welfare. Added to these, she also faced fina The SPCA waived the RM4,520 in maintenance and medication costs. In both the cases, the abusers were let off the hook with a minimal fine. Department enforcement unit head Zainuddin Isma Yatim said 116 cases of cruelty to animals were reported this year alone. Last year there were only 33 cases.
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