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Animals Legally Tortured and Abused in Macau
  1. Signatures
    1,341 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Office of the Chief Executive (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Office of the Chief Executive
      • Macau Legislative Assembly
      • Macau Law Reform and International Law Bureau
  2. Created By
    Carin Zellerman
    Stockholm, Sweden
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Macau has virtually no laws that protect animals from abuse and no laws that punish those who commit it. Although several recent incidents have stirred public outcry, including a dog who had his genitals cut off, and a golden retriever who was found with an eye brow cut off, the issue was highlighted again in January, when a video was released by the Society for the Protection of Animals, showing a man beating a dog with a metal bar. The man was quickly released by authorities, only to return to the dog's guardians, threatening to kill the dog.

The current regulations in Macau that involve animal protection are dated from 1954 and 1996. Punishment for publicly harming animals are minimal, consisting of meager fines. An animal rights protection bill was drafted in 2008 that would, for example, forbid cruelty to animals, abandoning pets, and animal fight activities, setting a maximum fine of MOP 100,000. The proposal has been delayed for almost three years and seems to have been shelved, leaving animals totally unprotected from abuse.

Photo credit: Macau Daily Times

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Please Revise Animal Protection Laws in Macau

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am deeply concerned over the lack of proper animal protection laws in Macau and would like to express my dissatisfaction over the delay in the enactment of the animal rights protection bill drafted in 2008. The current legislation in Macau protects the perpetrators instead of the victims. With no adequate laws in place, animal abuse is a frequent occurrence and with no laws to protect animal rights, these issues could easily result in a major social and health problem.

There is a strong connection linking animal abuse and violence towards humans. The relationship has been well acknowledged by scientists, psychologists, and criminologists. Animal cruelty must be taken seriously and treated as a crime. It is not only a crime in itself, but also an indication of a violent nature. In this sense, an animal protection legislation would not only serve to protect animals, but also humans.

Animals are sentient beings with a capacity for suffering and are entitled to protection against abuse and cruelty. The Macau Government must achieve a comprehensive and well-enforced animal protection legislation in order to monitor a proper and ethical treatment of animals. Mistreated animals must be provided with help and perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions, with high penalties in place to work as a deterrent.

There is no reason why the Law of Ownership of Animals should be further delayed. The protection of animal rights is a requirement for any modern society. Please revise the current animal protection law and enact a proper animal protection legislation that aims to protect animals and ensure their welfare, accompanied by strict penalties for any violations.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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