Veterinary Dept probes fatal animal neglect in 'abandoned' clinic

 

The Selangor Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has launched a probe into suspected animal neglect at an allegedly abandoned private animal clinic in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya.

Noting that it had received an official complaint on the matter, the department said it had dispatched a team of animal welfare officers to the location of the incident at 12.30pm yesterday for an inspection.

“The inspection found one dog carcass and one cat carcass in two separate animal cages at the premises.

“Based on an initial examination of the carcasses, the animals were estimated to have been dead for one to two weeks,” the department said in a statement last night.

The DVS officers subsequently seized the carcasses and cages for further examination and investigation.

An investigation paper has since been opened under Section 29(1)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, which criminalises unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act that causes unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.

Those convicted can be liable to a fine between RM20,000 and RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Tragedy strikes

Yesterday, Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) sounded the alarm over what it described as a “tragic case of severe animal neglect” at the private animal clinic.

While the NGO said a police report had been filed by former staff members of the clinic last Saturday, it stressed that the clinic’s staff and management must be held accountable for the “gross neglect,” which it deemed a violation of legal and ethical responsibilities.

“This horrific act of cruelty cannot be ignored. We must ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable,” a spokesperson from SAFM was quoted as saying in the group’s Facebook post.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that animal welfare must always come first. Those entrusted with the care of animals must uphold their duty to protect and nurture them.”

Independent animal rescuer Shima Aris, who had saved a cat from the scene where the animal carcasses were found, had also taken to Instagram to raise awareness of the incident.

She further alleged that the clinic, which had supposedly been abandoned three months ago, was managed by a veterinary part of the DVS. - Mkini