Malaysian pet owners and activists who found nearly 300 starving cats caged and soaked in excrement at pet care centers have demanded sterner laws against cruelty to animals.
The felines had been left with a company that was supposed to take care of them in Malaysia's central Selangor state while their owners returned to their hometowns to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr.
Rescue volunteers broke into the company's two facilities Sunday and discovered the emaciated cats.
Activists estimated at least 12 cats were dead and dozens more were missing.
Christine Chin of the Malaysian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Tuesday the case has energized activists to push for stronger prosecution of people who mistreat animals.
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