Latest news with #DVS
CBS News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Minnesota drivers to face higher fines for missing road tests, canceling last-minute
Starting Friday, drivers who ditch their road test or cancel less than 24 hours before could be charged up to $40. People who cancel their test 24 to 72 hours before the test will be fined $20. Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) officials say it's all about decreasing missed appointments and making sure others have access to open spots. A policy first put in place in 2021 charged $20 for no-shows, and in 2024, funding was provided by the legislature for 30 additional examiners to allow for more appointments. Yet Jody-Kay Peterson, the DVS program director, says no-show rates are still high. One in five road test appointments goes unused because people don't show up or cancel too late. "As we see the no-show increasing, we definitely saw well something needs to be done," Peterson said. In 2024, more than 48,000 people didn't show up for their road test appointments. So far this year, 24,000 road tests have been missed. Between July 8 and July 24, 273 slots were wasted. "When you cancel within due time, that is going to give your neighbor, friend, family member, relative that chance to get that appointment," Peterson said. The fee is collected when the customer applies for their driver's license. Officials hope this will lead to zero no-shows going forward. To schedule, cancel or change an appointment online, click here.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Over 1,700 animal abuse cases probed since 2020
THE authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty. 'To address such cases, the DVS has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021-2030 – a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,' he said. The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local councils and experts on the issue. Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System. Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added. THE authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty. 'To address such cases, the DVS has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021-2030 – a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,' he said. The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local councils and experts on the issue. Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System. Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Veterinary Services Department to track down dogs involved in fatal attack of toddler
KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) will identify the dogs which are believed to have mauled a baby to death at an Orang Asli settlement here. The DVS, in a written response to queries from the New Straits Times, said the identification of the animals involved was crucial to facilitate checks for rabies. "While the issue of stray dogs is under the jurisdiction of the local council, once a dog bite case has occurred, the Health Ministry will inform the DVS to conduct checks to control rabies cases. "In this regard, the state DVS will identify the dogs involved and examine it for any clinical signs or symptoms of rabies," it said. It added that for cases involving stray dogs that test positive after sampling, surveillance activities will be carried out within a one to five km radius of the affected area to detect any rabies cases. It was reported that a young couple returning home from work were horrified to find their son, who had been left under the care of his uncle, dead about 20m from their house in an Orang Asli settlement at Sungai Buloh. In the incident on July 22, the couple noticed their front door was ajar and their one-year and seven-month-old toddler was not inside the house. They called out his name, but there was no response. They began searching the settlement and found the boy's body surrounded by stray dogs that had attacked and mauled him to death. Overcome with horror and grief, they carried their son to their car and rushed him to the hospital, but it was in vain. Police received a call at 8.40am from a medical officer at Sungai Buloh Hospital, who reported that a toddler had been rushed unconscious to the emergency department. Despite efforts by the medical team to resuscitate him, the child showed no response. He was pronounced dead at 9.14am. A detailed examination found multiple scratches and bite marks on his head and body, which is consistent with marks of an animal attack. It was also reported that a 19-year-old Orang Asli teen was detained by police to assist in an investigation into the death of the toddler, believed to have been fatally mauled by dogs. The teen, from the Temuan tribe, was arrested around 11.50am on July 24 under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
DVS Drives Product Innovation To Meet Field Challenges
GENERAL By Thivyamalini Ramalu PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) continues to make strides by introducing various innovative products to ensure the country's veterinary services remain relevant and responsive to increasingly complex field challenges. DVS Veterinary Research Division director Dr Rohana Abu Bakar said that in-house innovations developed based on actual needs continue to serve as a crucial foundation for reforming the national veterinary sector while fostering a culture of innovation within the department. 'The innovations produced by DVS personnel are solutions to problems they have encountered before. They conducted studies and several tests before turning them into actual products or innovations. 'They assessed what could be done and improved the problems through innovation. The responsibility of improving service effectiveness stands out when field officers — from the lower ranks to the top — work together to solve issues through product innovation,' she said. She was speaking to Bernama after attending the Closing Ceremony of DVS Innovation Day 2025, officiated by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Deputy Secretary-General (Development) Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd. Asked about which DVS innovation has been a game changer, Rohana cited the development of a livestock vaccine pouch bag last year as a key breakthrough for storing vaccines at a stable temperature in open farm areas such as oil palm plantations. 'This is to ensure vaccines are not damaged by heat exposure, thereby improving the effectiveness of animal vaccination. It was developed by DVS Pahang and is now also being produced for other states. Orders have been received from several other states, and the innovation has been registered as intellectual property,' she explained. She also expressed admiration for the growing number of participants, which has increased from just 15 years ago to 30 entries this year — reflecting a rising culture of innovation and a strong sense of camaraderie among DVS staff and players in the veterinary industry.
Malay Mail
23-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Ipoh City Council addresses viral video concerns, denies dogs buried alive
IPOH, July 23 — The Ipoh City Council today confirmed that the burial of several dogs at a pound in Lahat, which went viral in a video yesterday, but denied the animals were buried alive as alleged. The council's enforcement and safety director, Ahmad Zaiyadi Sudin, said the dogs were euthanised prior to the burial, which he insisted was in line with standard operating procedures (SOP). 'The disposal method used was 'put to sleep' (PTS), carried out in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS),' he said at a press conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building. 'This is a globally accepted and humane method of euthanising stray animals under Section 32E of the Animal Welfare Act and local dog licensing by-laws.' Ahmad explained that the dogs shown in the video were already euthanised. 'If the dogs were alive, they would have certainly run away. Clearly, that did not happen,' he asserted. He said that PTS is only used after a mandatory three-day holding period, during which owners can reclaim their pets. 'These dogs were caught based on complaints — such as biting, aggressive chasing, or being left to roam the streets. If no one comes forward within three days, the animals are assessed by the DVS and, if deemed necessary, euthanised humanely.' Long-term solutions needed Ahmad noted that stray dog complaints in Ipoh remain high, with 740 complaints about strays and 201 involving pet dogs received between January 1 and July 20 this year. He added that 35 dogs were euthanised on the day of the recent incident, part of a total of 270 since last year, many of which had health issues or were involved in serious incidents. Also present at the press conference, Perak Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching stressed that while PTS is a legal last resort, with the government actively pursuing long-term solutions. 'We are not relying solely on euthanasia. We're tackling the root causes through public awareness, responsible pet ownership, and collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs),' Ng said. She highlighted initiatives under the Perak Pawsitive programme, including subsidised neutering campaigns, a proposed microchip registration system, and engagement sessions between local councils and animal rescuers to build mutual understanding. Since the campaign's launch last year, 301 dogs and 254 cats have been neutered. Ng also explained the shift from a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) approach, which she said proved ineffective due to continued complaints, to a Trap-Neuter-Rehome (TNRh) method. 'However, the adoption rate in the state remains very low,' she noted. Ng expressed regret over the spread of misinformation regarding the incident, which sparked public outrage, and warned that the state would not hesitate to take legal action against those spreading false claims. The viral footage, which circulated widely yesterday, drew outrage and calls for accountability from animal lovers and NGOs. Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) president Ricky Soong described the scenes in the video as 'heartbreaking' and 'inhumane.'
