Latest news with #DepartmentofVeterinaryServices
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Over 12,000 animal abuse complaints lodged in Malaysia since 2021
BACHOK: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has received a total of 12,417 complaints involving animal abuse, neglect and welfare issues since 2021. DVS director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said that of the total, 249 cases were recorded in 2021, 1,249 in 2022, 1,580 in 2023 and 4,133 in 2024, while 2,533 cases have been reported so far this year as of July 10. 'To date, 1,407 licences have been issued for activities involving live animals, including 542 licences for the sale of live animals in captivity and 865 for their accommodation,' she said. Dr Akma said that failure to comply with animal welfare requirements, whether as owners or licensees, could result in a fine of not less than RM15,000 and not more than RM75,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. She said this to reporters after attending the National Animal Welfare Day 2025 celebration and the Horse Identification Card Registration programme here today. Dr Akma said animal welfare covered not only ruminants but also pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. 'In addition to providing adequate food and water, animal welfare is also assessed based on five main pillars, namely proper nutrition, a comfortable environment, good health, natural behaviour, and emotional well-being,' she said. Commenting on this year's National Animal Welfare Day theme, 'Pemilik Prihatin, Haiwan Terjaga', Dr Akma said it aimed to raise awareness on the importance of pet owners being responsible in protecting the welfare of their animals. 'I believe that if owners are dedicated and committed, their pets will be treated like part of the family,' she said. Meanwhile, Kelantan DVS director Dr Yahasmida Yaacob said the programme focused on efforts to ensure that all horses in the state were legally registered and issued with Horse Identification Cards. According to her, microchips served as a unique identification mark for each horse, while the identification card contained the legal owner's details and the animal's health records, including vaccinations and treatments, to ensure effective husbandry. She said the programme also aimed to instil a sense of responsibility among owners to mark their animals with proper identification for their animals through identification cards and microchips. At today's programme, nearly 100 horses were equipped with microchips and issued identification cards. Other activities held during the programme included the Smart Horse competition, briefings on animal welfare and horse identification cards, horse riding, colouring competitions, as well as exhibition and sales booths. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- General
- Barnama
Over 12,000 Complaints On Animal Abuse, Neglect Lodged Since 2021
BACHOK, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has received a total of 12,417 complaints involving animal abuse, neglect and welfare issues since 2021. DVS director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said that of the total, 249 cases were recorded in 2021, 1,249 in 2022, 1,580 in 2023 and 4,133 in 2024, while 2,533 cases have been reported so far this year as of July 10. 'To date, 1,407 licences have been issued for activities involving live animals, including 542 licences for the sale of live animals in captivity and 865 for their accommodation,' she said. Dr Akma said that failure to comply with animal welfare requirements, whether as owners or licensees, could result in a fine of not less than RM15,000 and not more than RM75,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. She said this to reporters after attending the National Animal Welfare Day 2025 celebration and the Horse Identification Card Registration programme here today. Dr Akma said animal welfare covered not only ruminants but also pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. 'In addition to providing adequate food and water, animal welfare is also assessed based on five main pillars, namely proper nutrition, a comfortable environment, good health, natural behaviour, and emotional well-being,' she said. Commenting on this year's National Animal Welfare Day theme, 'Pemilik Prihatin, Haiwan Terjaga', Dr Akma said it aimed to raise awareness on the importance of pet owners being responsible in protecting the welfare of their animals. 'I believe that if owners are dedicated and committed, their pets will be treated like part of the family,' she said.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rabies awareness must include cats, says MDLBS chairman
A Department of Veterinary Services officer administering an anti-rabies injection during the programme at Sang Ik Methodist Church, Tanjung Kunyit. SIBU (July 19): Public awareness about rabies must expand to include cats, as the disease is not exclusive to dogs and infected cats can pose hidden threats within homes, said Sibu Rural District Council (MDLBS) chairman Councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai. Speaking at the MDLBS-organised Anti-Rabies Vaccination, Microchipping and Licensing Programme at Sang Ik Methodist Church in Tanjung Kunyit today, he said many people still mistakenly believe that rabies only affects dogs. 'We now know that several recent rabies cases involved cats. People often assume that cats are less dangerous because they live indoors. But infected cats, especially those that have come into contact with stray cats outside and then return indoors, can pose a greater danger,' he said. Also present at the event were MDLBS Standing Committee Chairman for Environment and Public Health and SUPP Bawang Assan Chairman, Cr Kevin Lau, MDLBS secretary Ng Siang Wei, community leaders and others. Sempurai explained that while rabid dogs typically show clear symptoms such as excessive drooling or aversion to sunlight and water, signs of infection in cats are harder to detect. Sempurai (fourth left) observing the Anti-Rabies Vaccination, Microchipping and Licensing Programme organised by MDLBS at Sang Ik Methodist Church, Tanjung Kunyit today. Also seen are Lau (second right), Ng (right), and others. 'I hope MDLBS and the officers from the Department of Veterinary Services can also focus more on cats, so that the public becomes aware that cats can be rabies carriers too,' he said. He called on the public to spread the word about the campaign to encourage more people to get their pets vaccinated and microchipped. The microchipping, he said, is crucial not only for controlling rabies but also for tracking the local pet population more effectively. 'We don't want the public to assume that rabies cases are caused solely by stray dogs. In many cases, the animals were actually owned pets that had left their homes, became infected, and bit people. That is even more dangerous. 'During my tenure as MDLBS chairman, we've already seen that most stray dogs were caught over the past two to three years. What we're seeing roaming around now are mostly pet dogs,' he said. He stressed that microchipping would help authorities track the number of pets in specific areas and respond more effectively to any cases. 'For example, here in Tanjung Kunyit, if we chip every dog, we will know exactly how many are here. If there is a rabies case, we can quickly contain and monitor the situation,' he added. In conjunction with the campaign, officers from the Department of Veterinary Services were seen administering anti-rabies vaccines to pets brought by their owners.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Kelantan to host 2025 Animal Welfare Day with horse industry focus
KELANTAN: Kelantan has been selected to host the national-level 2025 Animal Welfare Day celebration, set to take place at Seri Nipah Resort in Bachok this Saturday. The event will spotlight the horse industry, reflecting its cultural significance in the state. Dr. Marzuna Md Yunus, Head of the Animal Welfare Section at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), stated that the program is a collaborative effort between the state government and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. She emphasized the horse industry's role in Kelantan's heritage as the reason for this year's thematic focus. Key activities lined up for the celebration include the SMART Horse competition, horse joy ride performances, and educational sessions on horse health, diseases, and registration procedures. A Horse Identification Card Registration initiative will also be introduced to promote owner accountability and animal welfare awareness. Dr. Marzuna announced an additional initiative involving microchips with GPS trackers and unique serial numbers, linked to a central database for identification. The first 10 registrants will receive free microchips and ID cards. She urged the public to treat all animals with compassion, stressing that cruelty—whether to pets or strays—is unacceptable. She also encouraged pet owners to educate themselves on basic animal care to ensure their pets' well-being. - Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- General
- Barnama
Kelantan To Host National-Level Animal Welfare Day
Head of the Animal Welfare Section of the Veterinary Regulatory Division, Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Marzuna Md Yunus KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- Kelantan will host the national-level 2025 Animal Welfare Day celebration to be held at the Seri Nipah Resort, in Bachok, this Saturday, with a focus on the horse industry. Head of the Animal Welfare Section of the Veterinary Regulatory Division, Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Marzuna Md Yunus, said the programme would be carried out with the cooperation of the state government and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. She said the focus on the horse industry for this year's celebration aligns with its significance as part of Kelantan's cultural identity. Among the activities planned in conjunction with the celebration are the SMART Horse competition, horse joy ride performances, information sharing sessions on horse health and diseases, as well as a briefing on horse registration and transfer. 'As part of the celebration, a Horse Identification Card Registration program will also be held to raise awareness among owners about their responsibilities and the welfare needs of these animal - as is required for other animlas as well,' she said when appearing as a guest on the 'Apa Khabar Malaysia' programme on BERNAMA TV here, today. Dr Marzuna said DVS would also introduce an initiative to use microchips equipped with GPS trackers and unique serial numbers linked to the owner's information in a central database for identification purposes. "We will provide free microchips and identification cards to the first 10 owners who register," she said. At the same time, Dr Marzuna reminded the public to never commit acts of cruelty on animals, regardless of the type or status of the animal, whether pets or stray animals. "What society in this country must understand is the importance of compassion and empathy towards animals. The issue is not whether we choose to care for stray animals, but no animal should ever be mistreated, under any circumstances," she said.
