GEORGE TOWN: The government needs to channel additional funds for the veterinary services department (DVS) so it can hire more staff to deal with animal abuse cases, says an animal rights group.
April Sham, a founder of the now defunct Save Our Strays Neutering Society – SOS Penang, said DVS lacks the manpower to deal with animal abuse cases.
The government should therefore allocate more funds to enable the department to hire extra enforcement officers, she said.
April also said the funds may be used to train volunteers to attend to abuse cases round the clock and on public holidays.
“This would enable a faster, more efficient response to public complaints. Animal abusers don’t commit crimes during office hours alone,” she said.
She said the fire and rescue department has volunteer units to help in its work. “We could have a similar arrangement for DVS,” she told reporters.
April also called for DVS officers to be authorised to break into private properties should they witness animals being abused after receiving complaints.
“Of course, DVS officers will have to judge the severity of the case. But if it is serious, where an animal is dying, they should not waste any time. Enter the houses and take the animal away,” she said.
She also raised the issue of the dumping of cats and dogs at markets, citing the Tanjung Bungah and Perak Road markets as examples.
CCTVs should be installed at all markets so that these perpetrators can be identified, she said.
April’s call follows an incident on July 8 where a dog was beaten to death in Batu Maung.
Two men were subsequently arrested and charged in the sessions court here on July 13 with animal cruelty. The case is set for mention on Aug 16. - FMT
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