Should there be harsher penalties for animal abusers? Lawyers weigh in
Two recent incidents involving community cats have sparked outrage among members of the public. PHOTOS: PHOE PE/FACEBOOK, LUNI SINGAPORE/FACEBOOK
Should there be harsher penalties for animal abusers? Lawyers weigh in
SINGAPORE - In less than a week, two community cats have died from brutal abuse.
One of them was found on the road near an estate in Yishun on May 9, disemboweled and its eyes gouged out.
Another was discovered to be severely injured near a car park in Punggol on May 12. Cat rescuers took the feline to a vet, but it eventually succumbed to its injuries.
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?
Limitations of the law
Under the Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to $30,000 or both.
Despite the large number of reported cases, very few are taken to the courts, said criminal lawyer Josephus Tan, who represented a man who threw a cat over the 13th floor parapet of his block at Yishun Ring Road in 2016.
On Feb 7, Barrie Lin Pengli was sentenced to 14 months' jail for abusing five cats and killing two of them over a period of one year and eight months. The prosecution, which originally sought a jail term of 24 months, appealed the sentence on Feb 11.
'There's still a disproportionate number of cats killed compared to perpetrators that are arrested and charged. Optically it looks very bad because it seems to suggest that (society) does not value the lives of animals,' said Mr Tan.
Head lawyer Gloria James of law firm Gloria James-Civetta & Co told ST the current laws have several limitations when it comes to prosecuting and sentencing offenders.
'A significant challenge is that animals are voiceless and cannot plead their case, which makes it difficult to gauge the extent of their suffering. This can impact the ability to impose a punishment that truly reflects the harm caused.'
Associate Professor Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim, who heads the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said cases of animal abuse often lack direct evidence or credible witnesses.
'CCTV footage is rare, and animal carcasses may be disposed of before analysis can occur,' she said.
'The time lapses between the act of abuse and its reporting can also diminish the strength of cases and make it difficult to arrest and charge suspects.'
Harsher penalties as a strong deterrent
In its 2024 report, the SPCA called for stronger animal protection laws and enforcement, which included stricter penalties as a deterrent.
Mr Tan said that amending the law to introduce tougher penalties is the right way forward.
'The law is dynamic, and it must reflect the cultures and trends of society. If there's a surge in the number of animal abuse cases, then it's something Parliament should look into.'
He suggested that the jail term for first-time offenders be increased from three to five years, and even caning offenders to send a 'strong message' of deterrence.
He likened it to the Ministry of Home Affairs considering caning for some scam offences, given the record amount of scam losses in recent years.
Ms James hopes to see enhanced sentencing for offences committed in aggravating circumstances, as she thinks the current laws are insufficient.
'For example, harsher penalties could be mandated where the act of cruelty is prolonged, involves multiple animals, is committed in the presence of children, or is filmed or shared online.
'These aggravating factors are not currently specified in the Animals and Birds Act. Codifying them would provide greater consistency in sentencing and signal a stronger moral condemnation of particularly egregious conduct,' she said.
Alternatives to punishment
Veteran criminal lawyer Ramesh Tiwary, on the other hand , feels the current laws are adequate.
He said simply meting out harsher punishments is a 'one-dimensional' approach.
'There are many other factors that come into play when somebody commits a crime - he might be frustrated, angry, or not even thinking straight.'
Rather, more emphasis should be placed on tackling the root of the problem.
'I think enhancing or increasing sentences is not going to prevent the offence. It's more necessary to find out why people are doing these things.'
'If we can find out why people are being cruel to animals, then perhaps we can work at removing the reasons and solving the problem.'
Mr Tiwary believes in educating offenders, which can be done by bringing them to a shelter to take care of animals, for example.
'This way, you teach the (offender) that animals deserve love and affection, rather than just sending them to prison.'
Beyond fines and jail terms, Assoc Prof Razwana suggested a longer disqualification period from animal ownership, up from the current 12 months.
Ms James echoed similar sentiments: '(12 months is) manifestly inadequate in cases involving severe or repeated cruelty. The revised Act should empower courts to impose longer-term or even permanent disqualification orders in appropriate cases.
'This would better reflect the gravity of the harm caused and provide greater protection for animals in the long term.'
Ms James recommended post-sentence behavioural reviews for convicted offenders, which assess whether offenders have internalised the consequences of their actions, and if they remain a risk to animals.
Public education efforts should also be ramped up to inform the general public about their duty of care towards pets and animals, said Assoc Prof Razwana.
She added: 'Tackling animal cruelty requires a multi-faceted approach: stricter laws, better enforcement, deeper psychological intervention, and systemic education.'
Acknowledging that the government's move to review the Animals and Birds Act is a 'step in the right direction', Assoc Prof Razwana said its success will depend on how well it integrates legal reforms with public education and offender rehabilitation.
'It is also critical to work with affected stakeholders, the communities, and individuals in addressing the root cause and the aftermath of such cruel incidences.'
Claudia Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times covering the crime and court beat.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Motorcyclists injured after collision with alligator along Florida highway
Footage of the incident shows motorcycles passing by the alligator, which appears to be stationary in the middle of the road. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM CRYSTAL PEREZ/FACEBOOK Motorcyclists injured after collision with alligator along Florida highway Two motorcyclists were injured in Orange City, Florida after they hit a 1.8m alligator that had strayed on a major highway, American media outlets reported. Both bikers - which reports identified as a 67-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman - were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after they veered off Interstate 4 on May 31. Footage of the incident, which has been uploaded on social media, shows motorcycles passing by the alligator, which was lying down in the middle of the road. Two motorcycles are later seen off the highway, with other motorcyclists rushing to provide assistance. A man is also seen lying on his back on the grass. A shot of the alligator, with blood on its snout, is also shown. The male biker, identified by CBS News as Mr Cameron Gilmore, ended up hitting a tree. He told the news outlet that he saw the alligator about 3m away and knew he would hit it, but did not have time to react. Mr Gilmore added that he was thrown off his motorcycle after hitting the animal. According to CBS News, he suffered road rash and some broken bones in his foot. There was no report of the female biker's injuries. American magazine People reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called to assist with the alligator, which was injured but survived. It also said that the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
'Cats can't scream but we can': Viral petition renews calls for stronger animal cruelty Enforcement in Singapore
SINGAPORE: A petition titled 'Cats Can't Scream But We Can' has captured the public's attention, gathering over 14,000 signatures in just days. Sparked by a wave of brutal attacks on community cats, the campaign thrusts into the spotlight a growing plea: that the quiet creatures living among us deserve meaningful protection, not just sympathy. The petition's opening lines cut straight to the heart: 'They live among us— not owned, but loved. Yet they are being hunted… kicked, maimed, killed.' A growing crisis, largely unseen Last year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) recorded 961 confirmed cruelty and welfare cases, the highest total in twelve years. Of the 2,190 animals affected, nearly two-thirds were cats, whose gentle presence in neighbourhood void decks and stairwells has made them easy targets for violence. Among the most heartbreaking recent incidents: King Kong, a stray in Yishun, was found with his eyes gouged and organs torn (May 2025). Sunshine, a Tampines fixture for over a decade, was discovered bloodied and abandoned in a bin (May 2025). Field Field—affectionately known as 'Garfield'— was allegedly thrown from a 38th-floor apartment in Whampoa (October 2024). And in Haig Road, residents have watched a woman stalk, kick, and injure cats for more than two years, only to learn that no charges can be laid because there was no CCTV footage of the exact blow. Families who once called these cats friends now find themselves grappling with grief, anger, and a sense of helplessness. Five Demands, One Clear Message In response, petitioners have outlined five urgent calls to action—each meant to plug gaps in Singapore's current approach: Allow cumulative evidence in prosecutions. Under the existing Animals and Birds Act, prosecutors must tie cruelty directly to an individual's actions. Petitioners argue that veterinary reports and witness statements, taken together, should meet the burden of proof even when the exact moment of harm isn't on camera. Introduce restraining orders or zone exclusions. Much like Personal Protection Orders in domestic-violence cases, these would keep known abusers away from areas frequented by community cats. Deploy mobile CCTV units and conduct regular patrols. Many of the violence hotspots—void decks, stairwells, underpasses—are dark, unlit, and easy to hide in. Petitioners say that visible deterrents and on-the-ground patrols could stop many attacks before they happen. Toughen sentencing: mandatory jail time and judicial caning for repeat or sadistic offenders. While current penalties allow for up to two years' imprisonment and fines, petitioners believe these measures aren't enough. 'We've seen people who come back again and again,' one feeder told us. 'Until the punishment truly hurts, they won't stop.' Declare animal cruelty a national crisis. This is perhaps the most symbolic ask—an official acknowledgement that unchecked violence against defenceless animals represents a broader moral failing. Petitioners insist that naming the problem is a first step toward real change. Youth, repeat offenders, and a fraying social compact Another worrying trend is the rise in cruelty cases involving minors. In 2024 alone, 15 youth—some as young as primary-school age—were implicated in animal abuse. From children lifting rabbits by their ears to teenagers kicking birds in public, these incidents hint at deeper issues of desensitisation. SPCA notes that, 'In a developmental stage where peer influence takes precedence, youth learn quickly from one another. If the situation is not arrested, they may get desensitised to animal cruelty and regard it as the norm.' As the petition accelerates from social media into mainstream discourse, it underscores a growing impatience with the perceived gap between legislation on the books and the brutal reality on the ground. If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, please contact the SPCA's 24/7 hotline at 6287 5355 ext. 9, AVS at 1800 476 1600, or dial 999 for emergencies.
New Paper
a day ago
- New Paper
When an $8 hair salon visit cost $1k: Chain admits to unfair trade practices targeting the elderly
An elderly consumer visited a hair salon in Ang Mo Kio for an $8 haircut but ended up paying nearly $1,000 for a hair wash and a 10-session hair treatment package, both of which he had not agreed to purchase. The incident took place at a hair salon operating under the HairFun brand, which has since promised to stop engaging in unfair trade practices and to refund affected consumers. Halfway through his haircut, the elderly customer was shown images on a monitor screen, which an employee claimed showed haemorrhaging on his scalp. However, no device had been used to scan the consumer's head. Without the customer's consent, the employee washed his hair with a powder. The customer was later instructed to enter his personal identification number into the point-of-sale device, while the employee concealed the total payment amount. The elderly customer later consulted a doctor, who confirmed that his head and scalp were normal and showed no signs of haemorrhaging. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore, which disclosed the details of the case on June 4, did not state when the incident took place. In its statement, it said it began investigations after receiving multiple consumer complaints concerning the sales tactics adopted by HairFun employees. It then made unannounced visits to three branches of HairFun salon in October 2024 - Hairfun Beauty in Ang Mo Kio, Hairfun in Tampines, and Scissors & Comb in Toa Payoh Central. The authority found that the first two outlets had targeted elderly consumers by offering free or low-cost haircuts between May 2023 and July 2024. HairFun customers, particularly the elderly, were misled about their need for treatment packages, and were charged for expensive services and packages that they had not asked for, the investigations revealed. The HairFun companies have since agreed to refund all affected consumers. An example of the monitor and scalp scanner used by Hairfun Beauty in this photo taken on Oct 2, 2024. PHOTO: CCCS As part of the undertaking given to CCCS, the HairFun companies and their directors Roland Teo Jian Hao and Chiong Hong Hioh also pledged to stop all unfair trade practices, cooperate with the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) to resolve all complaints relating to unfair trade practices and provide a five-day cooling period for customers to cancel and get a refund for any pre-paid packages. "Close to $12,500 were recovered and returned to the affected consumers, many of whom are elderly residents living in the neighbourhood of the hair salon," Case president Melvin Yong said in a Facebook post on June 4. CCCS advised members of the public to not feel obliged to pay for goods or services that they did not ask for. It urged the public to learn more about the services and prices they will be paying before making payment. The price list of services provided at Hairfun Beauty, which included a free haircut for those aged above 55 years old. PHOTO: CCCS Its chief executive Alvin Koh also called on businesses to be more responsible when dealing with vulnerable consumers such as the elderly. "CCCS is concerned about elderly consumers being targeted and misled by errant businesses to pay for services that they did not agree to purchase. In dealing with vulnerable consumers, which may include the elderly, businesses must exercise extra care and check that they fully understand and agree to what they are buying, including the price, before they complete the sale," he said. He added that CCCS would step up efforts to educate and equip seniors with knowledge so as to better protect them. Members of the public can call to report cases of unfair trade practices by businesses at 6277-5100, or visit the online portal at
