Stiffer penalties could be introduced as a deterrent against animal cruelty, said Member of Parliament Yeo Guat Kwang, chairman of a committee to review legislation on animal welfare.
This was among the suggestions received by the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, formed by the Government earlier this year.
Under the law, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to $10,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
Speaking on the sidelines of an Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority roadshow held at Causeway Point mall yesterday, Mr Yeo said: "There were many calls for stiffer penalties... But we also found that many of the wrongdoers (were) ignorant of (proper) care for the pets."
Alternative measures could be implemented to help these people learn how to take better care of animals instead, he said, adding that they could, perhaps, be sent to do community service with animal-welfare groups.
The committee has held six consultation sessions with about 170 participants, including pet-industry players, grassroots leaders, veterinarians and animal-welfare groups and activists. Mr Yeo said the committee hopes to reach out to more people, and will launch a month-long online consultation next month. The committee will also work with grassroots organisations to get feedback through more traditional channels.
It expects to firm up the suggestions and submit them to the Government by the end of the year. Another suggestion was to educate pet owners by having grassroots and community organisations run awareness classes on animal welfare.
Mr Yeo said that there were also calls for the pet industry to play a more active role. One of the recommendations was for the establishment of an "accreditation scheme" for the pet industry.
"We want to make sure all those working in pet shops are well trained and they comply with a certain industry standard," he said.
Pre-sale screening of potential buyers was another possibility, to ensure that they were not buying on impulse, and had the knowledge and skills to look after a pet.
"So, (it's) not just for (the sake) of making money," Mr Yeo said
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I think that ignorance is really a factor in pet abuse. The owners ignore the needs of the pet and does not understand them so they tend to ignore it. We show our pets the love they need as our pets are loyal to us and they love us.
