Despite the steep penalty, including a jail term, for animal abuse under the Animal Welfare Act 2015, such cases remain prevalent with some people ill-treating animals in full view of the public.

It is not just pets and stray animals like dogs and cats that are at the receiving end of the abusers but also wildlife. On June 27, for instance, several wild monkeys were found dead in Paya Terubong, Penang, purportedly due to poisoning.

Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Enforcement Division director Zaharinan Abd Aziz said as of September this year, his department received 276 complaints pertaining to 13 categories of animal cruelty and neglect.

“During the same period...