I REFER to the complaints of S.M. Mohd Idris of Sahabat Alam Malaysia in “Law almost useless in protecting animals” (NST, Dec 31).

The Wildlife and National Parks Department is concerned with the alleged ill-treatment of caged animals in pet shops as stated in the letter.

As the agency tasked with the conservation and management of wildlife, the department has jurisdiction only over wildlife species in Peninsular Malaysia that are specifically listed under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972.

Therefore under the Act, the department has no jurisdiction over domesticated animals such as mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Some widely traded wildlife like the merbok (Peaceful Dove) and tekukor (Spotted Dove) are also not covered under the Act.

Some local wildlife species protected under the Act can be traded as pets. However, for pet shops to trade in such species they have to meet certain criteria, including suitability of the premises to house the wildlife, proper caging and experience of the licensee in taking care of animals.

If they fail to comply with the conditions imposed by the department, the pet shops could be charged under the Act. The department has taken action under Section 68 of the Act for keeping animals beyond the number allowed.

In addition, the department could also take action under Section 92 for causing cruelty to the protected wildlife, if there are signs of ill-treatment.

Regular programmes are carried out to enhance the awareness levels of pet shop owners, including through the pet shop associations, during inspection of the pet shops and when the licences are renewed on a yearly basis so that the pet shop owners accord proper care for the caged animals.

The department realises there is a need to revise the existing law. Therefore, the department is in the midst of discussion with the appropriate authorities in strengthening the legislation, including the penalty for causing cruelty to wildlife, either in captivity or in the wild.

Source: NST – January 8, 2008