(MY) doggone shame!

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The Malay Mail - 18th Oct 2005

 

Engineer fined RM100 for animal abuse:

A doggone shame!

RITA JONG

SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, Oct 18

--

 

An engineer who neglected his pedigree German Shepherd to such an

extent it had to be put to sleep, was fined RM100 for neglect — a

sentence which sparked an outcry among animal lovers.

 

The seven-year-old canine, going by the name Sheena, was found in a

pitiful state and was put to sleep immediately by the Kuala Lumpur

Veterinary Services Department as it could not be saved.

 

Based on the post mortem report, Sheena suffered from infection

caused by ticks, brittle bones due to malnutrition from young and

malfunction of all major organs causing water retention which resulted

in a bloated abdomen, empty bladder and stomach. In a nutshell, the

dog starved to death.

 

It was found by Veterinary Services Department officers in the

compound of house No. 38, USJ 17/3B, in Subang Jaya at 2.45pm on Aug

18. Sheena was put to sleep the same day.

 

Yesterday, its owner Lien Chong San, 46, apologised to magistrate

Hafizah Abdul Rajak, claiming the dog was old and sick.

 

" When I first got the dog, she was well looked after. Subsequently, I

had to move and had other problems to deal with. I could no longer

look after her. " Hafizah fined him RM100, in default two days' jail.

 

Lien paid the fine and tried to escape photographers by hiding behind

court officials as he left the magistrate's court.

 

Later after proceedings, Selangor SPCA animal inspector Sabrina Yeap,

told reporters that when Sheena was found, she was seated in front of

her rusty bowl, filled with dirty water.

 

" She had ticks all over her body, and the condition was filthy. Her

faeces were all over the compound, " she said.

 

" Lien neglected giving adequate care to Sheena, causing her health to

deteriorate, leaving her infected with fleas. "

 

He was charged under Section 44(1)(d) of the Animal Ordinance 1953,

which carries a maximum RM200 fine, or a maximum six months in jail,

or both.

 

" We will appeal to the High Court for the maximum sentence under this

section. RM100 is too low, " Yeap said.

 

" The dog died because of Lien's neglect and we strongly feel he

should be jailed. "

 

She said the SPCA will fight for the amendments to the Animal

Ordinance (Section 44), seeking stiffer punishment for those who abuse

or neglect their pets.

 

" Animals cannot talk, but they have their rights too. Hence, we must

speak up and protect them, " Yeap said.