Animal neglect cases on the rise: SPCA

We should not neglect our pets as we bought them for company not to neglect them. We bought them for a reason. We should care for them and give them the attention they need. Those who neglect pets should not even buy pets in the first place.


Credits to: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120223-329777.html

AsiaOne
Thursday, Feb 23, 2012

In a statement to the media, the SPCA said 70 per cent of the 1,027 cases of alleged cruelty to animals it investigated involved neglected pets.

These included rabbits, which were largely left unattended and in cages outside the owners' houses, dogs and cats in small cages, dogs tied up for long periods and sick pets left untreated.

Despite SPCA's investigations and advice to the owners, less than 30 per cent of them made improvements to their pets' living conditions.

These owners cited reasons such as lack of time or that their pets were already used to the current living conditions.

"As the SPCA does not have enforcement powers, the more serious cases, or those where no improvements were made, were referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority for further action," said the SPCA.

The society believed that the increase is the result of owners not taking the appropriate measures and responsibility needed when having a pet.

"It is our opinion that many owners want to enjoy the perceived fun experience of owning a pet, but are not bothered to accept or take on the accompanying responsibility.

"A common example from the cases we have investigated is that it doesn't seem to cross the mind of many owners to bring their pets to the veterinarian for regular visits to keep them healthy," it said. 

SPCA also attributed insufficient education at the point of sale to much of the problem, where the animals' needs were not properly communicated to new pet owners.

It said in the written statement: "For example, cages are often sold together with dogs, and owners are advised to train the animals in them but in the SPCA's experience, the cage often becomes the dog's permanent home, and a welfare issue results."

At an upcoming Animal Welfare Symposium and Public Forum on Animal Welfare Policies on February 25, the SPCA will be presenting an overview on Animal Cruelty Legislation Change.

A spokesperson from the society said: "This will focus on why we need our animal cruelty laws enhanced and that the issue of pet neglect is a serious one and needs to be addressed."

Nearly half of alleged animal abuse cases 'unintentional'

Saviour was born without front legs and gets around with a mobility aid made by owner Michael Tan (right). They were at the SPCA's World Animal Day 2012 carnival.

I wanted to show your this article as we need to tend to our pet's needs as we may give them the wrong needs.

By Elizabeth Kamaldi
my paper
Monday, Oct 01, 2012

Nearly half the reports of alleged animal abuse here are due to pet owners being unaware of their pets' needs.

In such "unintentional" cases, pet owners do not know what constitutes neglect, said Ms Corinne Fong, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Ms Fong said: "If a dog needs medical attention but the owner doesn't take it to a vet, thinking it can become cured on its own, (that) is neglect."

She was speaking to my paper at the SPCA's World Animal Day 2012 carnival, held at the East Coast Park yesterday. The SPCA also celebrated its 65th anniversary at the event.

Other animal-welfare groups, such as the Cat Welfare Society, Super Cuddles Clubhouse and Action for Singapore Dogs, also joined in the celebrations.

Among the pet owners spotted there was 50-year-old Michael Tan, owner of a five-month-old mongrel which was born without its two front legs.

"Every living thing should be given a chance, he's no less than a regular dog," said Mr Tan, who works in sales.

He adopted the puppy, which he named Saviour, from the SPCA when it was about 10 days old.

In order to help Saviour get around, he handcrafted a mobility aid using plastic pipes and wheels.

Mr Tan said: "The frame has been enlarged five or six times, as Saviour outgrows it every two to three weeks."

From June last year till this July, the SPCA has helped 1,383 animals find a home through its adoption programme.

In the same period, it investigated 1,027 cases of alleged animal cruelty.

Ms Fong said that the majority of pet breeders here are "appalling".

She said: "In spite of broken hips and broken bones, some still continue to let animals breed.

"If you're thinking of buying a pet... ask the sales attendant where it is from, and ask to see the facilities. If the breeder is a good one, he or she will invite you to the facility."

Ms Veron Lau, president of the Cat Welfare Society, stressed the importance of cat sterilisation in order to prevent a "population explosion".

She said: "(Some cat owners) don't know what to do, so they let nature take its course. When there are too many cats in the house, they just take a box and put them outside."

Credits to: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121001-374680.html

10% more animal-cruelty cases received by SPCA

I wanted to show this article as animal creulty is increasing and we need to stop it. They are harmless and innocent. We should not abuse them. Those who abuse animals are heartless and we need help animals who are abused find a home home that is filled with love.

my paper
Friday, Feb 24, 2012

The number of alleged animal-cruelty cases received by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) increased by 10 per cent last year from 2010. SPCA received and attended to 1,027 cases last year.

SPCA executive director Corrine Fong said yesterday that, with more people buying exotic pets due to rising affluence, the number of cases naturally rose. More cases could also have been reported due to greater awareness of animal cruelty.

Dog burned alive

This dog was burned alive by teenagers for fun.This is a cruel act to these innocent creatures. We should stop this kind of abuse. We were given pets to treasure them and not to hurt them.

Pet Picture

Credits to: https://www.facebook.com/theanimalrescuesite

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Over 50 Hougang residents rush to help stray dog after hearing its cries (28 Apr 2013)

"The incident happened on April 27, around 10.30pm and lasted about one to two hours.

"It started with a stray dog that was around the neighborhood for years already. After that, some residents made a police report regarding this stray dog.

"The police activated the AVA to come down to catch the dog. They were trying to catch it with a spiked rope. The dog was bleeding and was barking very loudly.

"Residents living in Hougang heard it and immediately rushed to the scene to defend the dog to prevent it from being caught and possibly put down.

"The commotion ended with at least 50 to 60 people at the scene with 6 police officers, a group of welfare association members and a few AVA catchers.

"In the end the dog was safely brought to a vet and to the Animal Welfare Association."


Credits to: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/in_the_heartlands/1766104/hougang_residents_help_stray_dog.html

SPCA submits paper to the Ministry of National Development (MND) for Legislation Change

In December 2011, SPCA submitted a proposal for legislative reform (Animals and Birds Act, Part IV, the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ sections 42 to 44) to the Ministry of National Development and apart from proposing increased penalties for existing offences based on cruelty, we are proposing that failure to take care of the welfare of pets should also amount to an offence and be punishable as such. Reports of alleged cruelty to animals have increased – in the last decade they have doubled. Presently we are receiving 85 reports on average per month. Coupled with the increased number of reported pet neglect cases, we have a more aware public who does not hesitate to vocalise or express their opinions on animal cruelty issues, whether directly to the SPCA or through media/online avenues.

Over the past 27 years, the SPCA has recorded over 40 cases of animal cruelty prosecutions. In most of the police cases, we have assisted through meeting up with the police at the scene, taking the animal/s for veterinary consultation/providing a veterinary report or bringing the dead animals to the AVA for an official post-mortem. The SPCA have followed up with the police in many of these cases with our reports or opinions to ensure that they were prosecuted.

Credits to: http://www.spca.org.sg/services_inspectorate_law.asp

Pics

Credits to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Funny-Texts/419965481419824

''Every dog deserves a home but not every home deserves a dog''
-Cesar Milan(Dog Whisperer)
But in this case,it applies to all pets

Dogs killed, cats slashed... animal cruelty cases on the rise

Credits to: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130417-416663.

By Sue-Ann Tan And Debbie Lee
The Straits Times
Friday, Apr 19, 2013

SINGAPORE - 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.

Cat Welfare Society president Veron Lau said: "We are not sure that the cases can be traced to the same abuser as abusers normally have a single modus operandi and these cats were all injured by different means. But these cases are still highly suspicious as they all took place around the same area, at around the same time."

Three animal welfare groups - Save Our Street Dogs, Mutts And Mittens and the Cat Welfare Society - have posted photos of abuse incidents online, in an effort to raise awareness. One picture of an injured dog has been shared more than 300 times.

A panel looking into animal abuse, chaired by Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Yeo Guat Kwang, has called for stiffer fines and longer jail terms for repeat offenders.

SPCA executive director Corinne Fong said awareness of animal abuse is growing. "There may be more reports now due to the power of social media," she said. "In the past, stray feeders just took the abused animals into their care. Now there's a lot of third-party reporting."

Executive Daphne Xiao, 23, an animal lover, has shared some pictures of abused animals online. She said: "The abusers' actions are really inhumane and I feel the cases should be brought to light."

Welfare groups said many suspected animal abuse incidents cannot be verified due to a lack of credible witnesses.

Said Ms Fong: "We need to educate people on what to do when they see animal abuse. Photos and videos are not enough. We need vet reports."

What are abused pets thinking

Pets are loyal

Our pets are loyal to us so we should also be loyal to them and not abandon them.

Picture: Hachiko-The faithful dog

Pet

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.

5 Ways to Stop Animal Abuse and Prevent Animal Cruelty

1. Speak for Animals

Animals can't speak up when they are being abused, so when you see something, say something. If you witness an act of animal cruelty in your neighborhood, contact the authorities immediately. Report the incident to your local police department, animal control or humane society. Animal cruelty, neglect and abuse are illegal in every state in the nation under the Animal Welfare Act.

2. Teach Children to Respect Animals

Help stop animal abuse by being a role model to your children and showing them how to properly take care of and handle animals. To reach even more kids, talk to your children's school or neighborhood community center and see if you can arrange an assembly on responsible pet ownership. Respecting animals needs to start young because acts of violence towards pets can sometimes be an indicator of violence towards people later in life.

3. Vote!

Put politicians in office who support animal protection legislation. Check out candidates' websites or call their headquarters and find out how they plan to help stop animal abuse in your area. You can also write to your current representatives and ask them to support laws that increase punishment for animal abusers or increase the number animal control officers.

4. Say NO to Puppy Mills

Puppy mills are a horrible reality of the pet industry. Help stop animal abuse by refusing to buy pets or supplies from any store or website that sell animals. While you may think buying a puppy mill pet is saving an animal, it is only encouraging these mills to stay in business by keeping up the demand for their product. Only adopt from shelters or buy from reputable breeders and tell your friends to do the same.

5. Volunteer or Donate

Prevent animal cruelty by volunteering your time and talents to a worthy cause. Even a few hours a week holding and petting animals at a shelter increases their chance of being adopted by making them more people friendly. If you are a writer, offer to help write the newsletter or lend your design skills to their website and advertisements. If you don't have the time to volunteer, you can still make a difference by donating to an animal rights organization in your community.


Credits to: http://www.petside.com/article/5-simple-ways-prevent-animal-cruelty

Cat allegedly flung to its death from Marsiling block

Credits to: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Crime/Story/A1Story20130122-397141.html

SINGAPORE - A cat was allegedly flung to its death from Block 4, Marsiling Road at about 9.30am on Sunday morning.

Marsiling residents told the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) that they heard a loud thud and the footsteps of someone running away before they discovered the cat's body.

They also said that they had heard a cat mewing for two days but, despite searching, were unable to locate the feline.

The incident comes less than a month after two kittens were found dismembered in an HDB common corridor in Chong Pang.

CWS president Veron Lau said the authorities have been informed about the dead cat but the case has not been classified as abuse yet.

"We need people to come forward, give us proper statements and tell us if they recognise the cat as someone's pet," said Ms Lau.

"We also need them to share with us what they saw and heard that morning before abuse can be ascertained."

Animal cruelty on the rise

                                             

A CAT survived a 10-storey fall from a Nee Soon Housing Board block.

The animal is currently in a stable condition at Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital but may have to undergo surgery for a fractured front paw, said the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) which is monitoring the case.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said it is investigating the case. The Straits Times understands that the suspected culprit is a 14-year-old student studying in the area.

This is the first publicised case of animal abuse since the National Development Ministry accepted an expert panel’s recommendation to strengthen animal welfare. Among the recommendations are harsher penalties where convicted animal abusers face a fine of up to US$50,000 (RM152,000) and / or a three-year jail term.

The CWS wants the teen to face criminal charges, and to undergo counselling and community service.

“So many animal abuse cases fall through the cracks. If there’s no action taken here, it sends the wrong message,” said CWS president Veron Lau.

This incident was reported to the police by a resident who saw the cat fall from a block of flats opposite his home on Sunday.

A teen, who was looking down from the second storey, later confessed to the resident that he had thrown the cat down. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

                                          Credits to: http://www.catwelfare.org/node/3303

Consequences for pet abuse (2013-03-01)

The Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee said that they are calling for tougher punishment for animal abuse and abandonment in Singapore, after a first ever one-year long review set up by the government according to the city-state's existing animal welfare laws.

Among the 24 recommendations in total, the committee has proposed that repeat or malicious offenders could be slapped with fines reaching 50,000 Singapore dollars (40,323 U.S. dollars) and/ or three-year jail terms, comparing with the current maximum penalty of fine up to 10,000 Singapore dollars or one year in jail, or both.

They would also be barred from keeping pets for up to one year, the committee added.

Some first-time animal abusers may see the original penalty, as well as perform community service.

Meanwhile, the committee also calls for higher penalties for businesses, with penalties up to 100,000 Singapore dollars, and a ban from operating for up to a year.

Besides some regulations on commercial pet breeding activities and pet boarding facilities, the proposals also advice that the government should set a minimum age of 16 years old for buying a pet, even including pet fish.

It is said that the committee has submitted its recommendations to the city-state's National Development Ministry for consideration.

It's very common to see some offenders sentenced to jail or fined because of their animal abuse here. At the end of last year, two cats had been cruelly dismembered in a community. The case had arisen intense condemns both on the internet and the local media. K Shanmugam, the city-state's Law and Foreign Affairs Minister, called the act "gruesome" and "sick."

Credits to: http://english.sina.com

Abandoned rabbit

Credits to: http://www.spca.org.sg

The rabbit was found abandoned at an open field in Bedok Reservoir Road. Two school girls spotted the rabbit in his cage, totally drenched in the rain and his own waste. There were hundreds of maggots crawling all over him, with some maggots burrowing into his flesh. The rabbit suffered from severe infection and had to be euthanased.

Dogs confined on balcony

                                Credits To: http://www.spca.org.sg

When the SPCA were notified about the case and arrived at the scene, the Husky and Golden Retriever pictured above hardly had space to move. They were tied to the balcony, surrounded by faeces. The space was too small for two dogs to move around, and the short leashes used to tie them up were seriously restricting their freedom. The dogs were also exposed to the weather. The conditions were grossly unhygienic, and their health seriously compromised. The Husky also had a choker chain around his neck, which could choke the dog while he is playing with the other dog. The SPCA advised the owner, and stressed the importance of providing freedom of movement for the animals. Dogs who are constantly confined or tied up on a daily basis not only face physical restrictions, but can develop psychological problems as well.

Pet abuse Apr 2013

Credits To: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130412-415365.html

By Kenneth Tan
My Paper
Friday, Apr 12, 2013

Animal abuse appears to be on the rise in Singapore, judging by the reports contributed by Stomp's citizen journalists.

With its wide reach and diverse readership, Stomp has proven to be an ideal platform for the public to raise awareness on animal cruelty.

The most recent and shocking of these incidents involves a miniature bull terrier that had its leg hacked off, leaving behind a gory stump.

Stomper Mitsueki had read about the case online on Mutts And Mittens' Facebook page and alerted Stomp.

An animal lover named Katherine Yeo found the crippled animal wandering around Changi Village last week and brought it to a vet for treatment.

It was later found that the wound, which was infested with maggots, had been untreated for over a week.

Stompers were united in condemning the act, as well as backing the actions of the dog's rescuer.

Many believe that the act was committed by an animal abuser on the loose in the area, and that the same culprit had beaten two cats to death in Tanglin Halt.

One carcass was found at Tanglin Halt Block 28, while the other was found at Block 45 within a few days of each other. Both cats appeared to have died of violent head wounds.

Officials from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore believe they were killed in the wee hours of the morning when no one would have heard anything.

These cases bring to mind the furore over two kittens that were found dismembered in Chong Pang in December last year.

The discovery of the butchered kittens had prompted Law Minister K. Shanmugam to appeal to residents with information on the culprit to come forward.

Both of these cases were highlighted by Stomper Mitsueki.

While these examples are certainly the most shocking cases, they are by no means the only ones reported on Stomp.

Several less-severe cases were also reported, although they are no less deplorable.

One case involves a cat that was found covered with pink and yellow spray paint at the foot of a block of flats in Bedok North in February this year.

Stomper Mya had found the cat and was shocked by the state it was in. She subsequently reported the incident to police.

But while that particular incident was likely an act of mischief, there are many others that were the result of ignorance.

Stomper Nikita contributed the heartbreaking tale of a Oriental Pied Hornbill fledgling that fell to the ground after leaving its nest in Changi Village.

According to her, a man saw the struggling bird and grasped it by the neck in order to snap pictures of it with his mobile phone.

All the while, a pair of adult hornbills could be seen observing the situation from nearby trees.

The fledgling was so terrified after the ordeal that it later refused to move or fly away.

Eventually, with the help of bird-watchers and bird enthusiasts who formed a protective ring around it, the bird recovered from its shock and rejoined its parents.

If you have personally encountered cases of animal abuse, do send your reports and photos to Stomp.

Don't let such cases go unreported - spread awareness of these reprehensible deeds and help put an end to them.

Pet with masking tape on its snout and front legs

The beagle lay at the corner of a balcony, its snout and front legs bound with masking tape.

Abrasion sores on its legs after the tape was removed showed how the dog had struggled to get free.

The owners would bind the dog, Dimples, each time they left for work because they could not control it otherwise, officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) investigating the case found.

How long Dimples had been living in such conditions could not be ascertained, but “based on the condition of the skin where the masking tape was used, it was for quite a while,” said the animal welfare group.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore slapped a composite fine on the owners for their actions.

Dimples, described as being “happy go lucky” and very receptive to humans, recovered well from the ordeal and was adopted soon after.


Dimples has now found another home. (Photo courtesy of SPCA)

Credits to: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/spca-sees-more-cases-of-animal-abuse--neglect.html

                                                            

Pet abuse in 2013

                                                Credits to: Stomp.com.sg

STOMPer mitsueki came across a facebook posting about two cats at Tanglin Halt which had died after being beaten on their heads.

She had also came across earlier reports of dismembered kittens in Chong Pang, and a dog in Changi village which had its leg chopped off.

Said the STOMPer:

"What is with the sudden spike of SERIOUS animal abuse cases recently in Singapore?

"In the recent months, I have submitted the following stories to STOMP regarding the following animal abuse cases:

"Two Kittens found DISMEMBERED in Chong Pang (31 Dec 2012) and G.I. Joe, The dog with the chopped off Leg (7 April 2013).

"And again today, I just stumbled upon yet another animal abuse case posted on facebook.

"According to the facebook user, Shazz Sloshed who posted these pictures:

"Two community cats were brutally beaten on their heads and died.

"One was found dead at Block 28 few days ago and one today at Block 45.

Police only took a statement and someone from AVA contacted a caregiver.

"As of now, it is believed to have happened in the early hours when most people are sleeping, and thus might not have heard the abuse.

"The regular feeders/caregivers at Tanglin Halt are looking for witnesses or any leads on cat abuse in the same area. So please help to spread the awareness around.

"Meanwhile, let's hope that the local authorities will look into the rise of animal abuse cases as the abusers' actions should not be condoned here in Singapore."