Warning to all animal abusers
Published on: Tuesday, December 06, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: In one of the strongest messages to all animal abusers, a Plantation Supervisor who hanged a dog to death in Lahad Datu was jailed nine months by the Lahad Datu High Court under Section 8(1)(a) of the Sabah Animal Welfare Enactment 2015. Syam Untung, was found guilty of committing the offence near the plantation after it killed some of his chickens, recently. His cruel act went viral in social media.According to the charge sheet, he committed the act between May 1, 2016 and June 5, 2016 and about 1pm to 2pm, by lassoing and hanging the black and white kampong dog to death at a concrete drain behind the workers' quarters, an unnumbered house at Tamaco Sungei Segama Plantation in Lahad Datu.
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Under the Enactment which was passed by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on November 26, 2015, cruelty towards animals is now an offence punishable by a maximum fine of RM100,000 or three years' jail or both upon conviction.Animal-related NGOs such as Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kota Kinabalu (SPCA KK), SPCA Lahad Datu, Funding for Animals and Independent Rescues (FAIR), Miracle's Mission and Animal Lovers Independent Rescuer (ALIR) hailed the penalty meted out to the perpetrator.President of FAIR, Shirley Khong, denounced the act as heartless, saying the jail sentence should send a strong signal to would-be animal abusers.She described the verdict as a 'historic' first for animal abusers in Sabah whereby the police took appropriate action against animal abuse.
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"This is a victory for animals out there who cannot speak for themselves, and we hope it will make animal abusers think twice before harming an innocent animal," she said."We (animal welfare NGOs) only found out about this horrifying incident in October when someone posted a video of it in social media. We were in a way lucky that a video had been shot of the hanging incident in Lahad Datu.
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"a visiting KK Veterinarian who happened to be in Lahad Datu during that time lodged a police report at the Lahad Datu Police Station on October 18, 2016," she shared. The culprit was arrested the following day and remanded for two days, after which he was released pending further investigation.According to Khong, the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry, Sabah, oversaw this case from the beginning, as the new Sabah Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 covers animal abuse quite efficiently and thoroughly. "We are pleased that the doctor took the initiative to make a police report and that the Department concerned did their part and brought the culprit to trial. This was made possible with the help of the Prosecuting Officer, Norbert," she said, adding that the Department's representative was present during the hearing.Urging the public to report animal cruelty, the President of FAIR said those with evidence and witness, can make a report to the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry (088-232499), any Police-Station, SPCA Kota Kinabalu (019-8809660), SPCA Sandakan (010-2278911), SPCA Tawau (016-8266465), SPCA Lahad Datu (012-2668164), ALIR (KK/Kota Belud/Kudat) (013-8885060), FAIR (KK) (016-8429595) and Miracle's Mission (KK) 016-8382111.Khong said animal abuse covers many acts, among them chaining a dog on short and/or heavy chains, caging your pet 24 hours a day, not feeding or watering your pet properly, neglecting your pet, etc. "Any person who cruelly beats, kicks, over-loads, ill-treats, tortures or terrifies any animal is liable to be prosecuted and convicted. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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