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THE Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has urged both the public and authorities to give far greater priority to animal welfare, citing over 7,600 reports of cruelty and neglect across Malaysia from 2021 to 2024.
Its president, Mohideen Abdul Kader, said the Department of Veterinary Services had recorded 7,613 cases in that period — a figure he described as “deeply troubling” and reflective of a growing lack of compassion in society.
“Of these, dogs were the most affected, with 5,226 cases, followed by cats at 1,900. The remainder involved cows, horses, rabbits, birds, chickens, hamsters, goats, guinea pigs, geese, ducks, turtles and snakes,” he said in a statement marking World Animal Day 2025.
Selangor topped the list of states with the highest number of reported abuse cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Kedah, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Johor and Penang. Smaller numbers were reported in Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu, Putrajaya and Labuan.
While welcoming legal action in four cases of cats thrown from high-rise buildings between 2020 and May 2024, Mohideen stressed that enforcement must be consistent and nationwide.
During the same period, 52 individuals were prosecuted for neglect; nine received prison sentences, while 30 were fined a combined RM970,800.
CAP also expressed serious concern over the treatment of farm animals in Malaysia, stating that most livestock are kept in conditions that prevent them from expressing natural behaviours such as running, nesting or foraging.
“This practice, driven by the demand for cheap meat and dairy, causes great suffering, especially among pigs, chickens and ducks in industrial farms, where welfare is frequently disregarded,” he said.
He highlighted frequent news reports of fires in poultry farms killing thousands of animals, saying operators are often unable to evacuate such large numbers in time. He also noted the absence of contingency procedures to evacuate or protect livestock during natural disasters, despite the significant financial losses such events cause.
On pet shops, Mohideen called for stricter regulation, warning of a surge in unethical practices such as separating puppies and kittens too early from their mothers, or keeping animals in unsuitable conditions.
“Without stronger legislation, animals will continue to be viewed merely as commodities. This also affects exotic species, which often end up in the hands of buyers seeking status or novelty, without the knowledge to care for them properly,” he said.
“As a result, these animals silently suffer in inappropriate habitats, are given incorrect diets or handled roughly, making them even more vulnerable to abuse.”
He said the exploitation of animals in entertainment must also end, adding: “Tigers, elephants and monkeys are not entertainers. They are often forced to perform unnatural acts under threat of physical punishment.
“Before being used for rides, elephants endure the brutal 'crush' method, involving beatings and starvation designed to break their spirits. This practice has been widely condemned by animal welfare organisations.”
Mohideen concluded by stating that World Animal Day serves as a powerful reminder that animals deserve protection — and that a world free of cruelty can only be achieved when the suffering caused by industrial agriculture and the commodification of animals is recognised and addressed. - October 4, 2025