Latest news with #AVS
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Kitten allegedly stuffed in container and rolled around Singapore canteen, SPCA steps in
SINGAPORE, June 25 — A case of animal abuse in Singapore has been referred to the authorities after the suspected perpetrator's manager allegedly refused to cooperate with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA) investigations. SPCA Singapore said it had received a report about a kitten that had allegedly been shoved into a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly, according a Facebook post on Monday. The informant, a colleague of the suspected perpetrator, told SPCA Singapore the incident allegedly occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on March 26 between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. According to the informant, the site supervisor was reportedly aware of the abuse. Speaking to AsiaOne, Aarthi Sankar, executive director of SPCA Singapore, said that SPCA Singapore conducted an unannounced inspection on April 1 after receiving the report on March 29. During the inspection, they were informed that the cat had been released. SPCA Singapore inspectors issued a stern warning to the worker involved, but were unable to conduct further investigations as the manager allegedly refused to cooperate and provide CCTV footage. The society subsequently escalated the issue to Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for a follow-up. SPCA Singapore also urged the public to report any cases of animal abuse and to provide potential evidence such as photos and videos to the authorities. Under Singapore's Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to S$15,000 (RM50,000), or both. Subsequent offenders may face a fine of up to S$30,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Kitten stuffed into a container at tech park spurs outcry amid calls for harsher animal cruelty laws
Photo: SPCA's Facebook Featured News Hot Button Issues Singapore News SINGAPORE: A disturbing case of alleged kitten abuse at a workers' canteen in Tech Park Crescent has triggered renewed public outrage and intensified calls for stronger animal cruelty legislation in Singapore. On March 29, 2025, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) received a tip-off from a whistleblower. A colleague of the suspected abuser alleged that a kitten had been confined in a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly between 9.45 pm and 10.30 pm on March 26. According to the SPCA Facebook post on June 23, the incident may have been captured by CCTV cameras, and the site supervisor was reportedly aware of what transpired. An unannounced inspection was carried out by SPCA officers on April 1, but by then, the kitten had been released and described as a 'community cat.' A stern warning was issued to the worker involved, yet the site manager refused to provide CCTV footage or assist further, prompting the SPCA to escalate the case to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for investigation. Rising animal rights campaign This case comes on the back of a rising trend in reported animal cruelty cases in Singapore, with calls from activists and the public growing louder for serious legal enforcement. One of the leading voices in this campaign is animal welfare advocate Sherene Alkaff, whose petition titled 'Cats Can't Scream, But We Can' has garnered over 16,000 signatures. It features a request to the Ministry of National Development, NParks, and other relevant agencies to: Allow cumulative evidence like vet reports and witness accounts in abuse prosecutions. Install mobile CCTVs and increase patrols in high-risk areas. Strengthen sentencing — including mandatory jail time and judicial caning for repeat or sadistic offenders. Recognise animal abuse as a national crisis. A warning and a worry Many animal lovers are questioning the adequacy of the response so far. Comments on the SPCA's social media reflect widespread concern: 'A stern warning does not suffice since the potential abuser is presumably an adult… The management could just erase the footage next time this happens.' 'Even if the animal was released, the act did take place — the person who caused the suffering must be punished!' The SPCA reiterated the importance of community vigilance. 'This case, like so many others, would have gone undetected if not for someone who chose to speak up. If you witness abuse or neglect, even if you're unsure, report it. Your voice might be the only one an animal has.' What you can do If you suspect or witness cruelty, SPCA advises: Take photos or videos if it's safe to do so. Note the time, location, and identities involved. Report immediately to SPCA or AVS. What's next? Singapore's animal cruelty laws have evolved over the years, but cases like this underscore potential gaps in enforcement and accountability, especially in situations where evidence is withheld or not pursued with urgency. As Singapore continues to promote itself as a progressive, compassionate society, many netizens are asking whether our animal welfare laws are keeping pace with that vision. See also Penang-Songkhla link talks at G-to-G level: End of Kra Canal The answer may depend on what happens next.
Malay Mail
25-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Kitten allegedly stuffed in container and rolled around Singapore canteen, SPCA steps in
SINGAPORE, June 25 — A case of animal abuse in Singapore has been referred to the authorities after the suspected perpetrator's manager allegedly refused to cooperate with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA) investigations. SPCA Singapore said it had received a report about a kitten that had allegedly been shoved into a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly, according a Facebook post on Monday. The informant, a colleague of the suspected perpetrator, told SPCA Singapore the incident allegedly occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on March 26 between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. According to the informant, the site supervisor was reportedly aware of the abuse. Speaking to AsiaOne, Aarthi Sankar, executive director of SPCA Singapore, said that SPCA Singapore conducted an unannounced inspection on April 1 after receiving the report on March 29. During the inspection, they were informed that the cat had been released. SPCA Singapore inspectors issued a stern warning to the worker involved, but were unable to conduct further investigations as the manager allegedly refused to cooperate and provide CCTV footage. The society subsequently escalated the issue to Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for a follow-up. SPCA Singapore also urged the public to report any cases of animal abuse and to provide potential evidence such as photos and videos to the authorities. Under Singapore's Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to S$15,000 (RM50,000), or both. Subsequent offenders may face a fine of up to S$30,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.
AsiaOne
24-06-2025
- AsiaOne
Kitten allegedly stuffed in container by worker at Tuas canteen; case referred to AVS, Singapore News
A case of animal abuse has been referred to the authorities after the suspected perpetrator's manager allegedly refused to cooperate with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA) investigations. SPCA said they received a report about a kitten that had allegedly been shoved into a plastic container and rolled around repeatedly, according a Facebook post on Monday (June 23). The informant, a colleague of the suspected perpetrator, told SPCA the incident occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on March 26 between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. According to the informant, the site supervisor was reportedly aware of the abuse. SPCA said they conducted an unannounced inspection on April 1 following the report, and were informed that the cat had been released. SPCA inspectors issued a stern warning to the worker involved, but were unable to conduct further investigations as the manager allegedly refused to cooperate and provide CCTV footage. The society subsequently escalated the issue to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for a follow-up. SPCA also urged the public to report any cases of animal abuse and to provide potential evidence such as photos and videos to the authorities. Animals and Birds Act under review Under the Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both. Subsequent offenders may face a fine of up to $30,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both. At a media briefing on June 3, the National Parks Board (NParks) also said that it is conducting a review of the Animals and Birds Act with stakeholders, including a review to increase penalties such as fines, imprisonment terms and disqualification orders to ensure effective deterrence against animal welfare offences. AsiaOne has contacted SPCA and AVS for comments. [[nid:718664]]
CNA
20-06-2025
- CNA
Dog breeder at Sungei Tengah fined S$4,000 for various lapses
SINGAPORE: A dog breeder in Sungei Tengah was fined S$4,000 (US$3,100) on Friday (Jun 20) for regulatory breaches of terms and conditions for breeding dogs. Among these lapses, Lismore Pet Enterprise was convicted of failing to sterilise breeding dogs within six months of their retirement from breeding. Lismore Pet Enterprise is located at The Animal Lodge and was bound by regulations relating to breeding dogs as a licensed pet farm, the National Parks Board (NParks) said in court. Officers from the Animal and Veterinary Services (AVS) found the contraventions when they inspected the company's premises at several units in two blocks on Nov 1, 2023. During the inspection, AVS officers found kennels with multiple gaps and holes in the flooring that could trap feet or paws. Two kennels where three and five dogs were housed had multiple such gaps. This breached a condition that required flooring for dogs to be firm and safe. In relation to the sterilisation of retired breeding dogs, in one instance, officers found a female Japanese spitz that was not sterilised despite being eight years and 11 months old. Lismore failed to sterilise the dog within six months after its retirement at the age of six. Apart from these lapses, the company failed to keep a register for the movement of dogs in its care. It did not have such a system, NParks said. Regulations require a licensee to maintain a register to record the movement of dogs to other premises such as homes, farms, pet shops and salons. In total, Lismore pleaded guilty to four charges, while another 22 charges of a similar nature were considered for sentencing. NParks sought a fine of S$6,000. Lismore's lawyer Victor David Lau said that his client's business had been one of the largest pet farms in Singapore for decades, having been in business for a long time. He added that Lismore has a clean record with no instances of animal cruelty. Since then, Lismore has taken steps to rectify its lapses, said Mr Lau. The company has had genuine reasons for failing to comply with some regulations, said Mr Lau, adding that Lismore's usual supplier of flooring was no longer in business, resulting in a delay in procuring replacements.
