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."