Urgent: Sign SPCA Petition for Tougher Animal Protection Laws

The current edition of the SPCA's newsletter included this appalling story, to persuade people that Malaysia needs much stronger laws to protect animals:

On the 18th of August, the SPCA, with the assistance of the Enforcement
Division of the Veterinary Services Department, rescued a very ill dog which was in terrible condition.

As the dog was too weak to be saved, it was finally euthanized at the
Veterinary Services Department's clinic. Post mortem revealed that the dog
could have been suffering for at least 6 months already!

The irresponsible owner had intentionally neglected the dog's welfare and
caused unnecessary suffering to the dog. The Kuala Lumpur Enforcement
Division is carrying out investigations to trace the dog's owner.

The SPCA hopes that the irresponsible and cruel owner will be prosecuted
and not only fined a measly RM 200 but also be imprisoned for six months under the Animal Ordinance Act, 1953, Part IV: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The SPCA initiated a petition last year asking the government to amend Animal Ordinance 1953 to:

1. Increase the cruelty fine from RM200 (since 1953) to a significantly higher amount of around RM 10,000.00 and increase jail time;

2. Impose a life time ban on animal ownership for those charged with cruelty to animals --- animals therefore cannot be returned to the owners; and

3. Urge the public to be responsible pet owners - spay/neuter their pets, provide adequate food, space, exercise, love and medical attention to their pets, and to be considerate neighbours.

Sadly, only 20,000 signatures towards the goal of 100,000 (both national and international) were collected. The SPCA is circulating the petition again and urgently needs signatures. Please help them send a message to the government: Serious offences against animals require serious punishments. The abuse won't stop as long as the penalties, both as written and as applied, are a joke.