Animal welfare concerns surrounding mobile petting zoo businesses have flared up once again after a viral post exposed the severe neglect of rabbits left completely unattended in Temerloh, Pahang.
Taking to Threads, user @maemaiakdl shared heartbreaking photos of a flimsy, temporary enclosure set up on a sidewalk. The setup charged visitors RM4 to enter and RM1 to feed the animals, but the animals themselves were left without proper care or shelter.
Exposed to harsh weather with zero supervision
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, the user revealed that other shopkeepers in the area confirmed this cruel practice is far from a one-off mistake. The vendor reportedly leaves the defenseless animals trapped outdoors for hours on end regardless of the weather, only returning late at night to pack up.
To make matters worse, the operation is believed to be running completely without a valid business permit.
“I rarely frequent that area, so I haven’t met the owner personally,” the creator explained. “My sister and I asked the owner of the shop right next to the setup. He told us the vendor is an OKU individual who regularly does this. Rain or shine, he just leaves them exposed without shelter and only collects them late at night.”
The nearby shopkeeper added that when previously warned about potential reports, the vendor remained indifferent, allegedly boasting that he was not afraid because he has connections within the local municipal council.
Rabbits die from neglect
Sadly, the severe lack of care resulted in a tragic outcome. When the user arrived at the scene around 7:30 PM, they made a heartbreaking discovery, rabbits had already perished due to the poor conditions.
Refusing to leave the dead animals discarded like trash, she and her sister personally took the deceased rabbits and gave them a proper, respectful burial.
Official report lodged with DVS
The user said she and her sister took immediate action by lodging a formal report with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), in hopes of prompting legal action. Her sister also shared educational resources online to help the public understand how to report similar cases of animal abuse.
While some rabbits succumbed to the harsh conditions, another concerned members of the public stepped in that afternoon to rescue therabbit surviving rabbits and take them home to safety.
Calls for conscious consumerism
The user urged the public to be more proactive and vigilant, warning against supporting unethical animal attractions.
“I hope people can be more selective when supporting petting zoo businesses. Make sure the owner is responsible, knowledgeable, and operating ethically. It is our responsibility to protect animals and support the right businesses. I also wish people would be more proactive and act accordingly when seeing such cruelty.”
What are your thoughts on how mobile petting zoos should be regulated? Let us know in the comments below!
