Think of the animal's

Dear Editor, HOW wonderful it would be to have someone in Parliament bold enough to speak up on animal welfare issues. Unfortunately, unlike in developed countries, it is impossible to have our Members of Parliament to talk about animal welfare.Perhaps, the MPs here are worried of being ridiculed, with a prevailing narrow-minded perception that animal welfare is not important.Here, humans are always a priority.Very few would fight for the environment and the animals.Often in Malaysia, when one is tired of taking care of an animal, he would abandon it on the streets.Some, who refuse to neuter or spay their pets, give the litters away to others without thinking that these ‘eager’ adopters might abandon them too.When an animal rescuer saves sickly and abused animals, they’re looked upon as ‘dumb’ for saving a life.Some parents couldn’t care less when their children throw stones at strays, or abuse them.They don’t realise that by allowing such behaviour, the children will grow up to be selfish and ignorant.And if the animal retaliates, and the child gets hurt, the animal is blamed, with the child’s parents going to the media to report the trauma the child had gone t h ro u g h .In the end, it is usually the animal that pays the price.Numerous reports of animal abuse have been made, many suggestions have been made, thousands of signatures have been collected through a petition to urge the Government to look into the Animal Act 1953.But still, the penalty charges and deterrent law are pathetic.Instead of introducing harsher penalties, the authorities are happier to pick up a gun and shoot the animals.In developed countries, the Government ensures that its laws on animal welfare are regularly revised and improved to keep up with the complex situation in its society.

In Malaysia, this is not happening.I have had my fair share of being laughed and ridiculed at over efforts to promote animal rights awareness, asking if anyone would care.If this is the type of society that we have today? Are we fit to call ourselves a ‘caring society’? Mahatma Gandhi once said that the moral progress of a nation can be judged by the way its society treats its animals.Compassion isn’t restricted to humans only, it is also to be extended to God’s other creations, the animals and the environment.

ANGELINE S.CHIN,

Author of Silent Cries