Reports of animal cruelty cases on the rise

A dog in Punggol with injuries, most likely caused by glass shards. The number of reports of animal cruelty rose by a fifth last year, new figures reveal, and cases are continuing to rise. -- PHOTO: SAVE OUR PETS

THE number of reports of animal cruelty rose by a fifth last year, new figures reveal, and cases are continuing to rise.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) received 480 complaints last year, up from 400 in 2011.

In addition, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has seen an increase of up to 5 per cent in animal abuse incidents reported so far this year, compared to last year. It received 1,017 such reports from July 2011 to June last year.

A string of horrific cases have already been reported this month. Seven stray dogs were found killed, poisoned or injured in Punggol on April 3. Over the next two days, several stray cats were slashed and a mini bull terrier in Changi Village had a leg cut off. On April 7, two cats, suspected of being beaten to death, were found in Tanglin Halt. A day later, a cat was found with glue on its fur.