Proposal is a ‘huge step backwards,’ says Albano Martins

Albano Martins (center)

The president of the animal protection association Anima, Albano Martins, believes that the government’s decision to set a one-year maximum prison sentence for animal abuse “is a huge step backwards.”
Mr Martins told the Times that Macau’s 9/96 law contemplates a three-year maximum jail term for those who physically or mentally abuse racing animals. Therefore, he sees no reason why offenders who mistreat pets should receive a lower sentence.
“Do they [the government and lawmakers] know that such a law applies in Macau? It would make sense to establish a three-
year sentence, because it doesn’t make any sense to have a three-year prison sentence applied to those who abuse racing animals and only a one-year prison sentence for those who mistreat all the other animals,” he recalled.
The president of AL’s 1st Standing Committee, lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang, said yesterday that lawmakers agreed to set a one-year prison sentence for animal abuse while discussing Macau’s Animal Protection Bill draft, which passed its first reading last year.
She recalled that Macau usually has lower prison penalties than its neighboring regions, and that the spirit of the law is to raise awareness of animal protection, urging citizens to love and care for pets and other animals.
Ms Kwan reiterated that, according to government statistics, there haven’t been many cases of animal abuse here.
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sonia Chan, also said that the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) recorded few animal abuse cases, with complaints amounting to just a “one-digit number.”
Mr Martins does not hold the same opinion. He raises the possibility that many animal abuse cases may not even be reported. “There are many examples of animal cruelty here,” including killing, he warned.
Anima, the Society for the Protection of Animals, was founded in 2003 and has since become known for fighting for animal rights.
The association has recently advocated for the closure of Macau’s dog racing stadium, the Canidrome, once the current concession contract expires later this year. A petition launched on Anima’s website advocating for the closing of the Canidrome has gathered over 300,000 supporters. The Canidrome is managed by the greyhound racing company Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co Ltd, and controlled by Stanley Ho’s STDM.
Mr Martins said that both the Canidrome and the Jockey Club should close down once their respective concession contracts expire, as neither of the companies are making a good profit.
He recalled that the Jockey Club’s losses amount to MOP3.8 billion and that the Canidrome has also faced lower gross annual revenue over recent years.
Mr Martins also claims that there are about 30 dogs being killed each month at the Canidrome.  “How could the government allow for the Canidrome to operate since it’s not profitable? It also triggers a lot of problems for people living in the area,” he said, adding that horses at the Macau Jockey Club live under “miserable conditions,” with no air conditioning.
Some have suggested that if the Canidrome closes down, greyhounds could be transferred to the Jockey Club. However, Mr Martins claimed that it’s simply a bad idea to bring greyhounds and horses together. He concluded by saying, “Animals at the Jockey Club are living under miserable conditions; according to information we have been able to gather, it’s very hot there and horses are not being fed properly. It doesn’t make sense to bring all these animals together when there’s even a hotel under construction there.”