THE recent case in Besut, Terengganu, where an innocent stray dog was brutally shot by the local authority's officers had shaken our collective conscience.
This inhumane act is not only deeply disturbing, but it's also a powerful reminder of a harsh reality — animal cruelty persists because our society and our laws often fail to take it seriously.
This inhumane act brings a resounding call to action, one that demands we address the root causes of such cruelty and lay the groundwork for a more compassionate future.
Confronting animal cruelty is not just about bringing justice in one case; it's about creating a society where empathy and respect for all living beings are core values.
Here's how we can — and must — make this happen.
If justice is to be served, animal protection laws must reflect the seriousness of such offenses. Animal cruelty laws need not only to be strict but also enforceable.
Advocates across Malaysia are calling for harsher penalties that reflect the true gravity of such actions, including imprisonment and substantial fines. Cases like this show a need for specific legislative attention, with policies that ensure perpetrators cannot escape consequences.
Stricter laws send a clear message: animal cruelty is not a minor offense, but a crime that strikes at the heart of our humanity. When individuals harm defenseless animals, they exhibit a profound lack of empathy — something we cannot condone or overlook.
Lawmakers must see animal cruelty as an urgent priority and work towards comprehensive protections that shield all animals from harm.
In tandem with stronger laws, there must be a commitment from law enforcement to prioritise animal cruelty cases.
Petitions, open letters, and community advocacy can pressure authorities to treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve, ensuring that the individuals responsible are brought to justice swiftly and with a clear message that cruelty has no place in our society.
Local law enforcement can also strengthen ties with animal welfare organizations, building partnerships that create a fast-response system for cruelty cases. When police and NGOs work together, they can better monitor, investigate, and prosecute cases, creating a streamlined approach that reduces the risk of future incidents.
A truly compassionate society must begin with education. Educational campaigns targeting children and youth can help instill values of empathy and respect for animals from a young age.
Schools and universities are ideal platforms for these campaigns, with workshops and awareness programmes on animal welfare that build a foundation of understanding and compassion. By teaching students about the importance of humane treatment, we're nurturing a generation that values and protects all living beings.
When children grow up with positive attitudes toward animals, they are less likely to engage in or tolerate cruelty. Education is prevention; it stops the cycle of cruelty before it begins by creating lifelong habits of kindness.
The role of the media and social media cannot be understated. Platforms that amplify stories of cruelty, as well as positive stories of animal rescue, create widespread awareness.
Influencers, public figures, and advocates can reach broad audiences, making cruelty a matter of public discourse and concern. By regularly sharing messages that condemn cruelty, promote adoption, and encourage responsible pet ownership, we shift the narrative toward empathy.
Social media also offers a unique power to galvanise communities, allowing people from all walks of life to come together, share, and spread messages that promote humane treatment.
This collective action ensures that such incidents do not fade into the background but remain focal points for change.
Many religious and cultural teachings emphasise kindness to all living beings. By collaborating with religious leaders, we can spread the message that cruelty toward animals is morally wrong.
These leaders, respected and trusted within communities, can share teachings that remind us of our ethical obligations to care for animals, drawing from values ingrained in our cultural and spiritual heritage.
Such partnerships bring the conversation to community members who may otherwise be disengaged, reinforcing the idea that compassion toward animals is a virtue, not an afterthought.
Local NGOs and animal welfare groups are essential allies in protecting animals and educating communities. These organizations work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate animals, often with limited resources.
By supporting them financially or through volunteer efforts, we empower them to continue their crucial work. NGOs can also run community-based programmes, engaging locals directly in conversations and actions that support animal welfare.
When communities are involved, individuals are empowered to report cruelty, assist in rescue efforts, and spread awareness in their circles. These organisations often lead the charge in cases of abuse, providing legal assistance, rehabilitation, and recovery for animals who have suffered.
If we are to end animal cruelty, we must instill a broader cultural shift, one that values animals as beings with emotional lives.
The media, education, and community narratives all play a role in changing how we perceive animals, not as mere property but as creatures deserving of care. Stories of animals' loyalty, intelligence, and emotional capacity inspire empathy and a sense of responsibility.
By promoting positive stories and showing the consequences of cruelty, we shape a society where violence against animals is viewed with disgust and compassion is a collective priority.
Creating "Animal Safe Zones" within cities and towns can protect stray animals from harm, offering refuge where they can be cared for by volunteers.
These zones give communities a chance to directly engage in animal welfare, allowing citizens to provide food, water, and care to stray animals in a safe environment.
Community watch programmes can also play a vital role in preventing cruelty. By encouraging locals to report suspicious behaviour and animal abuse, we establish a community that actively opposes cruelty and is vigilant in protecting vulnerable animals.
Following traumatic events, community-led conversations provide space for individuals to process their anger and grief, as well as to discuss solutions. Such forums encourage locals to reflect on the impact of cruelty, share thoughts on prevention, and develop collective action plans to protect animals in the future.
In these dialogues, community members can find healing and resolve to prevent future tragedies. Together, they can work toward a reality where animals are safe and respected, turning incidents of cruelty into moments of transformative growth.
Another recent act of cruelty in Keningau, Sabah, must be the last. It must serve as a catalyst that drives each of us to speak up, demand justice, and work toward a society that values all life.
Animals cannot speak for themselves, but we can speak for them — and we must. Our voices, combined with the strength of our actions, have the power to shape a society where cruelty has no place.
In a truly compassionate world, justice isn't just about punishing wrongdoers but creating a culture of empathy and respect.
This is our call to action: to create a future where compassion, protection, and justice for animals are not optional but expected.
Only then can we claim to be a society that values life in all its forms.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Patron
SPCA Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times