Bull-chasing Competition Cancelled in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Astro TV was planning to hold and broadcast a jallikattu competition in January at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur. After hearing from PETA Asia, Astro TV pulled their involvement from the event and the competition was cancelled. Jallikattu violates Malaysia’s Animal Welfare Act 2015, which states that there are penalties for any person who, “(a) cruelly beats, kicks, overloads, tortures or terrifies any animals; (b) overrides or overdrives any animal, except for activities in relation to equestrian sports which is listed in the First Schedule of the Sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576]; (c) causes, procures or, being the owner, permits any animal to be so used; … (e) by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, causes any unnecessary pain or suffering, or, being the owner, permits any unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal; … (s) causes, obtain or assists at the fighting or baiting of any animal, or keeps, uses, manages, or acts or assists in the management of any premises or place for the purpose of fighting or baiting any animal, or permits any premises or place to be so kept, managed or used, or receives or causes or obtains any person to receive, money for the admission of any person to such premises or place; … (u) organizes, participates, promotes or in any manner is associated with any sport or activity involving the use of animals, where such animals are subjected to cruelty, either during the sport or activity itself or while in training.”