KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities have investigated 1,766 cases of animal abuse and neglect since 2020, with 52 resulting in convictions, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup told Parliament on Monday (July 28).

The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the Veterinary Services Department had implemented a 10-year national strategy to address rising concerns over animal cruelty.

“To address such cases, the Veterinary Services Department has developed the National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan 2021–2030, a long-term framework to ensure animal management in Malaysia meets welfare standards and promotes a caring, compassionate society,” he said in the Lower House.

The deputy minister was responding to a question on whether the government would introduce a national framework to tackle abuse of stray animals and collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local councils and experts on the issue.

Kurup said ongoing initiatives include engagement programmes with local authorities to manage stray populations and animal cruelty complaints through the MyAnimal Welfare System.

Media campaigns are also being conducted to raise awareness, he added.

According to him, an animal welfare resource pack had been developed for preschool children to educate them on responsible behaviour towards animals.

When asked about the potential adoption of the trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) method to control stray populations, Kurup said the government preferred a “trap and rehome” approach, where animals are returned only if they have owners.

“This is a more effective method of population control,” he said.