Should there be harsher penalties for animal abusers? Lawyers weigh in
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SINGAPORE - In the space of less than a week, two community cats have died. One was found on the road near an estate in Yishun on May 9, disembowelled and with its eyes gouged out. Another was discovered to be severely injured in a carpark in Punggol on MaShould there be harsher penalties for animal abusers? Lawyers weigh in
SINGAPORE - In the space of less than a week, two community cats have died. One was found on the road near an estate in Yishun on May 9, disembowelled and with its eyes gouged out. Another was discovered to be severely injured in a carpark in Punggol on May 12. Cat rescuers took the feline to a vet, but it eventually died from its injuries. The National Parks Board said on May 17 that the cat had likely sustained its injuries due to a vehicular accident. Nonetheless, the two incidents sparked outrage among members of the public, with some going to the extent of hiring a private investigator to catch the perpetrator. In 2024, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) received 961 reports of animal cruelty and welfare concerns involving 2,190 animals – numbers which hit a 12-year-high. More than half of these were cats, with 1,330 cases. Given the spike in animal abuse cases, is it time to re-examine the law and implement harsher penalties? Read more