Positive feedback on Animal Welfare Bill draft

Posted on 19 July 2012 - 09:01pm
Last updated on 20 July 2012 - 09:38am

Cindi Loo
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA (July 19, 2012): Public feedback on the draft Animal Welfare Bill 2012 has largely been positive, with 90.9% expressing support for the government’s suggestions that were in the bill.
“After the findings are tabulated, we will put up the revised bill for another public viewing next month,” said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong at a press conference today.

The online public viewing of the draft was for 14 days, from June 19 to July 6, and resulted in 5,094 hits with 2,421 comments on the website.

The draft bill includes licensing of activities on animals as well as promotion of animal welfare in terms of transportation, research, teaching and testing.

It also includes prevention of harm of animals as well as penalties for those who are found committing offences such as intentionally harming animals.

Among the offences suggested include:
1) Serious offence (killing an animal) – Fines not exceeding RM50,000 but not less than RM5,000 or jail of not more than three years, or both;

2) Intermediate offence (harming an animal using poison, etc) – Fines not exceeding RM30,000 but not less than RM3,000 or jail of not more than two years, or both;

3) General offence (causing distress to an animal) – Fines not exceeding RM20,000 but not less than RM2,000 or jail of not more than one year, or both.

Feedback on the topic on transporting of animals was among the highest received during the viewing period with 99.58% responding with a “Yes” to the changes on ensuring the welfare of animals during transport.

However, 79.66% of the respondents disagreed that animals under emergency situations or those that are diseased should be shot.

Chua added that many comments received came from pet owners.

“The response we received were very good, but it can be emotional at times. We have to balance out the comments, but we also encourage the public to continue giving their response for other public viewings of the draft bill,” he said.

The revised draft will be available for viewing for another 14-day period next month, and the feedback will be incorporated into the final draft of the bill which is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year.

蔡智勇：90%民眾贊成‧動物福利法案明年呈國會

Created 07/20/2012 - 10:16

（布城19日訊）農業及農基工業部副部長拿督蔡智勇指出，根據網民對新動物福利法案諮詢調查問卷回應顯示，高達90%民眾贊成政府提出的新福利法案，該部預料最快明年向國會提呈這項法案。

他今日召開新聞發佈會，向記者匯報該局展開“動物福利法案網上調查報告”的首期進展。

他披露，新動物福利法案從6月19日至7月6日，為期14日的網絡諮詢調查中，共獲得5千零94次的點擊率，其中有2千421人（47.53%）回答調查問卷，大部份受訪者都是寵物主人，反應令人鼓舞。

根據網上調查統計顯示，高達90.2%公眾贊成政府推出的動物福利法案，高達99.58%受訪者對於“運輸動物”一欄的條文給予極高讚賞，即寵物主人及交通當局在運輸動物時，必須提供乾淨及充足的設備，包括食物和水。

只有79.66%受訪者贊成“例外”（Exception）一欄的條文，這也是眾多條文中，最少人支持的一項。

多數人不贊成射殺有病動物
蔡智勇透露，大多數受訪者都不贊成在緊急情況下射殺有病動物的建議。他認為或許很多人對該“例外”的條文還未深入瞭解，該局會在下一次公眾諮詢時，對此條文加以說明。

同時，他也表示，很多公眾也希望該局儘快實行動物福利法案，經過該局商議後決定，把3個階段的公眾諮詢程序縮短至2次，希望明年把該法案提呈到國會尋求通過。

他披露，第2輪的動物福利法案將在8月放上網讓公眾瀏覽，為期14天，屆時該局也會開放3至4日給公眾提供意見及看法，他們將收集公眾意見及批評，經過小組討論後，再衡量所有看法而擬出最終法案。

Animal welfare law must be fair to all, says Tee Yong

KUALA LUMPUR: Any legislation on animal welfare must be acceptable to all, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

Speaking at a consultation session between his ministry and animal welfare bodies, Chua said any proposed change must also be suitable.

“As we know, members of the public have differing views pertaining to animal welfare,” he said.

The consultation session, held to discuss provisions under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill, was attended by animal welfare organisations from all over the country.

Later, Chua told reporters that his ministry hoped to get feedback from both members of the public and industry players.

“This is because the Bill will affect everyone. It will not only be in relation to pets but to livestock breeding and the animal-related industry as a whole,” he said.

He said the ministry had conferred thrice with the Attorney-General's Chambers to conduct public consultation, with each period lasting two weeks.

On some local councils still resorting to shooting stray dogs despite the Veterinary Services Department's guidelines prohibiting the act, Chua said: “The problem is that these are only guidelines and not enforceable under any Act.”

The proposed legislation, he added, would prohibit the shooting of animals for the purpose of culling except during emergency situations.

The Government, said Chua, would also be formulating the National Strategic Plan for Animal Welfare by the end of the year.

He said the plan would oversee the development of the country's animal welfare for a period of eight years to bring this in line with that of developed nations.

During the event, the department also launched its Animal Welfare Draft Bill website to gauge public opinion on the proposed legislation.

The website can be accessed at http://research.dvs.gov.my/survey/index.php?sid=56159.

农业部拟制定动物福利法案 禁用枪械射杀猫狗

Created 06/19/2012 - 18:25

                               蔡智勇与出席动物福利法案咨询大会的非政府组织成员交流。

（沙登19日讯）农业及农基工业部将制定2012年动物福利法案，禁止任何人使用枪械射杀猫狗等动物、包括研究、实验或教学及运输动物必须要有良好的设施，违例者将处最高罚款不超过5万令吉或监禁不超过3年，或者两者兼施。

农业及农基工业部副部长拿督蔡智勇说，建议的惩罚分为严重、中级及普通罪行。

“严重罪行罚款最低5000令吉，最高不超过5万令吉或监禁不超过3年，或者两者兼施。”

他说，中级罪行罚款最低3000令吉，最高不过3万令吉或监禁不超过3年，或者两者兼施。而普通罪行则是罚款2000令吉至2万令吉，监禁不超过1年，或者两者兼施。“

他说，新的法案也较为全面，包括运输动物、禽畜及宠物方面；除了刑罚，还包括制定宠物经营者或主人的责任指南及如何避免重犯等条例。

他今日在大马沙登农业展览园为动物福利法案公众谘询大会及把法案上载至网站主持仪式后，发表谈话。

出席者包括兽医局总监拿督阿都阿兹。
公众可以通过网站： www.dvs.gov.my [1] 针对动物福利法案提出各种意见及看法。

不可用动物做研究

蔡智勇说，动物福利法案禁止人们使用枪械射杀猫狗及其他动物，除非有关人士在紧急情况下获得特别准许，如射杀有病的猫狗。

“除非有采取合理的步骤确保动物生理、健康及行为需求，否则不可以使用动物进行研究、实验或教学。”

他说，宠物主人或经营者在交通运输动物时，必须提供干净及良好的设施，包括食物与水。
“若宠物主人或经营者无法提供足够的食物、水及住所给动物，或者丢弃动物，而导致动物饥饿、口渴、受伤或其他创伤、受苦及痛楚；或者主人有意、无意让任何动物带至有传染病的地方，将视为触犯残忍对待动物的罪行。”

法案上载网站

他说，法案也建议部长可以委任公共官员成为福利官员，并有权在新法令下执法。而福利官员也可以委任符合资格人士，成为福利助理官员。

“法案将会分上载至网站寻求公众二次的咨询，则整个程序预料费时2至3个月后，才会提呈到总检察署，过后，才会提交国会寻求通过。”

擬動物福利法禁鎗殺貓狗‧蔡智勇：另修法令虐畜罰1萬5

Created 06/15/2012 - 10:49

（布城14日訊）農業部將制定動物福利法案，禁止任何人使用鎗械射殺貓狗等動物，更人性化地處理流浪貓狗的問題；同時也修訂1953年動物法令，讓擁虐待動物前科者，面對最高監禁6個月或罰款高達1萬5千令吉的刑罰。

目前，虐待動物者的罰款只是200令吉。

農業及農基工業部副部長拿督蔡智勇接受星洲日報專訪時說，動物福利法案其中一項草擬建議，就是禁止人們使用鎗械射殺貓狗及其他動物，除非有關者在緊急情況下獲得特別准許，如射殺有病菌的貓狗。

這項建議一旦通過，未來地方政府或市政廳等不再被容許使用鎗械射殺流浪貓狗。
“用鎗械射殺動物是不人道的做法，你可考慮使用麻醉藥捕捉它們，採取較人道的做法。”

福利法屬新法案
他也重申，新動物福利法案是全新法案，並不是1953年動物法令的修正版，兩者是有區別的，前者更加深入關切有關動物“福利”範圍，後者則是提高刑罰，加強執法。
他說，農業部將於6月19日在大馬沙登農業展覽園（MAEPS）召開公眾諮詢大會，讓公眾針對新動物福利法案提出各種意見及看法。

此外，該擬定的法案也較為全面，概括運輸動物的交通、禽畜及寵物方面；除了刑罰，還包括擬定寵物主人的責任指南及如何避免重犯等條例。

修動物法令年內呈國會

蔡智勇說，他們也跟進修改動物法案事項，雖沒在4月份的國會提呈，但應該會在今年內提呈國會尋求通過。

通過後的動物修正法案，一旦證實虐待動物者擁有前科，將加重刑罰，可監禁最高6個月，或罰款最高達1萬5千令吉。目前虐待動物者的罰款很低，犯者只須繳交200令吉。

2法案可同步應用
一旦通過動物修正法案及動物福利法案，兩者可以同步並用來對付有關犯罪者，而動物修正法案則加強刑罰。

“比如重犯者，除了刑罰，我們要如何防止他們不再重犯，如取消他養寵物的資格等，好讓有關事故不再發生。”

福利法概括寵物主人責任

蔡智勇說，動物福利法案不只是針對虐待動物者，也概括寵物主人應有的責任，或在照顧寵物者時需給予動物的福利條款。

他說，該法案也建議設立“動物福利助理”職位，讓公眾成為部門的“耳目”，更有效的執法。
針對該部是否有統一機構去處理流浪動物及執行防虐待動物條例，他表示，法案推出後，還有很多執照及註冊等種種涉及行業事項需要處理，目前還沒有一個部門真正地去關注或處理這課題。

收集流浪貓狗結紮意見
詢及有愛好動物者宣導為杜絕流浪狗貓問題，必須為動物結紮的行動，他認為，民眾及非政府組織能給予意見。

“我們相信結紮或可幫助減少流浪貓狗問題，但這並不代表野狗野貓就會從此消失，還是會有人丟棄它們，問題的根源是人們如何對待本身的寵物。”

蔡智勇：新動物福利法案涉及範圍甚廣，除了有關禽畜及寵物方面的福利，草擬的內容還包括寵物主人責任指南及如何避免重犯等條例。（圖：星洲日報）

動物福利法案通過後 嚴禁射擊野狗

(吉隆坡9日訊）農業部副部長拿督蔡智勇指出，一旦動物福利法案通過，日后當局將嚴禁射擊野狗或其他動物。

　他指出，射擊野狗，將被視為一種“殘忍行為”，而且早前就有很多投訴，指責當局不人道對待野狗。

　他說，該部對此條例沒有立場，但是有必要加入另一項條文，以便在緊急時刻或症病控制時，射擊動物行動不受影響。

　“無論如何，禁止射擊動物，是照顧動物福利與保護的措施。”
　蔡智勇是在接受《星報》訪問時，這么指出。

　他說，該部會在本月19日，在沙登農業展覽中心舉行開放日，供大眾就此法案提供回饋意見。

虐畜者禁養動物

　“除了原有的罰款及坐牢刑罰外，我們也會禁止一個人飼養動物，以防止他們重犯虐待動物的罪行。”

　他說，新法案的範疇，覆蓋所有動物，包括動物園的動物。

　他指出，新法案也將允許公眾協助當局，一起進行杜絕虐待動物的行為。

　“但這不是授權公眾，而是讓公眾扮演著監督的角色。”

　他說，待總檢察署審核新法案后，該部將提呈到國會；同時政府也會修改1953年動物法令。

　他指出，修改后的法令，一旦虐待動物罪名成立，將可罰款5萬令吉，或坐牢一年，或兩者兼施；而現在的刑罰是罰款200令吉，或坐牢不超過6個月，或兩者兼施。

More bite for laws against those who abuse animals

PUTRAJAYA: Those who show cruelty to animals will face heavier punishments if an amendment to the Animal Act 1953 gets the nod of Parliament within the next few weeks.

The draft amendments to the Act are believed to include raising the fine for animal cruelty to RM50,000 and the jail term to not more than one year.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the current laws were insufficient to protect animal welfare.

“Under the current Act, anyone guilty of an offence of cruelty to animals shall be liable to a fine of RM200 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.

“We hope to table the proposed amendments in this Parliament sitting, which will suggest heavier fines and for repeat offenders to be penalised more severely,” Chua told reporters after a press conference here to announce Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Pesta Ang Pow 2012 yesterday.

Chua’s statement was in response to a recent public outrage over photographs of a hawker who allegedly poured hot water on a stray dog.

The photographs began circulating and went viral on Facebook last week.

The hawker has admitted to committing the act on Feb 7, but claimed he did so on impulse to chase away persistent dogs which came to seek scraps.

The Veterinary Services Depart-ment (VSD) has since summoned the man for questioning.

“The department has taken the dog in its care, lodged a police report and applied for a court order to investigate the matter.

“The veterinarian who inspected the dog has reported that the animal is recovering from a 25cm-long wound on his body,” Chua said, adding that initial investigations confirmed that the dog was scalded.

He also urged the public to consider adopting strays instead of buying pets from shops.

“One of the main causes of stray animals were by people who abandoned their pets.

“We are disappointed and appal-led by people who abuse animals,” Chua said.

蔡智勇：尋求修正法令‧虐待動物或監半年

2012-03-14 10:10

（布城13日訊）農業與農基工業部副部長拿督蔡智勇披露，政府將嘗試在本屆國會尋求通過動物修正法令，一旦證實虐待動物者擁有前科，將加重刑罰，可監禁最高6個月，或罰款最高達1萬5千令吉。

他指出，目前虐待動物者的罰款很低，犯者只須繳交200令吉。

蔡智勇今日在部門舉行新聞發佈會，針對八打靈再也一起虐待流浪狗的投訴事件，向記者這樣表示。

他說，雪州獸醫局已針對這起虐待狗的事件，援引1953年動物法令第44（1）項條文，申請庭令調查此案，同時也向警方投報備案。

促提供虐狗證據

他透露，該局已採取行動，把受虐待的狗帶回部門調查，經過獸醫初步檢驗顯示，這隻狗可能被熱水淋傷，留下25公分的傷口，幸好傷口沒有受到感染，傷勢復原中。

他促知情的公眾人士，協助獸醫局調查此案，並提供訊息，找出有關人士虐待狗的證據。

他遺憾這起事件的發生，並希望非政府組織展開領養流浪狗的醒覺活動，同時教育人民在購買寵物時要想清楚，是否有足夠的責任感，照顧這些寵物，而不會遺棄這些寵物，以便寵物最後變成流浪狗。

（星洲日報）