The Animal Welfare Ministry has warned against abusing stray cats.
The Animal Welfare Ministry has reported a rise in complaints about stray cats being attacked and has urged the public to refrain from such behaviour.
The ministry said in a statement yesterday that it is receiving complaints of people abusing and killing stray cats in some local islands. The ministry has warned the public against such acts as it is against animal welfare standards.
The statement said there are five internationally recognized freedoms for animals. The things are;
- Freedom from hunger, thirst and starvation.
- Freedom from fear, anxiety and worry.
- Freedom from physical discomfort.
- Freedom from pain and disease.
- Freedom to express normal behavior.
The ministry said that under the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)'s Animal Health Code, the health of animals kept for entertainment, agriculture, scientific research and other purposes must also be ensured.
“As pets are fed a certain type of food, and its behaviour shaped by a certain kind of care and affection, they are deprived of the care of love when and when it is released to the streets,” the Animal Welfare Ministry said in its statement.
"The result will be anxiety and heartache, lack of food and loss of the safe and comfortable environment due to which they would try to be close to humans.
As such, animals should not be abused and should be treated with compassion, kindness and care, the ministry said.
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