‘What kind of person will do this?': Shanmugam condemns abuse, killing of Yishun community cat
In a Facebook post on May 9, Mr Shanmugam said: 'What kind of person will do this? This is not who we are as a people.'
Photos of the cat were posted on Facebook page Sayang Our Singapore's Community Cats on May 9, with a warning that a cat killer was at large in Yishun.
'The cat's name is King Kong, and he is well-loved. I fed him daily and cannot believe this news,' read the post by Ms Min Kaung, one of King Kong's regular feeders. The post also appealed for witnesses.
Ms Min Kaung, 25, told The Straits Times that the cat's carcass was found by a resident at around 6.15am on the road at the entrance to an estate there.
She said the neighbours who loved King Kong came down to see him after the resident sent a photo of King Kong's mutilated body to the neighbourhood WhatsApp group.
She said she suspected the abuser had placed the cat on the road to make it appear like roadkill.
'(In most) hit-and-run cases, the body would be crushed, but King Kong was not crushed at all. His eyes looked gouged out and his left thigh and body looked (like it was) slashed by sharp objects,' she said.
Pet owners and lovers in Nee Soon South are currently looking out for the remaining three community cats in the area, said Ms Min Kaung.
She added that she hoped the authorities would take action and punish whoever is responsible for the cat's death.
'We hope King Kong will have justice as he is such a caring and loving cat.'
In response to an ST query, the National Parks Board's (NParks) group director of enforcement and investigation Jessica Kwok said it had received feedback about a cat that was found dead in Yishun Street 51.
NParks is looking into the matter, she added.
Ms Kwok said NParks takes all feedback received on animal cruelty seriously, and advised the public to promptly report any suspected cases.
Members of the public can call NParks via its Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600.
'As with all investigations, all forms of evidence are crucial to the process, and photographic and/or video-graphic evidence provided by the public will help,' said Ms Kwok.
When contacted, the Cat Welfare Society said it was aware of this incident. A spokesperson said the society had contacted the cat's caregiver about reporting the incident to the authorities.
The spokesperson said the society is not aware of any similar cases in the area recently, and added that it will be approaching the town council for permission to put up posters in the vicinity to seek information on King Kong's death.
When contacted, Nee Soon Town Council said this case is not under its purview.
Additional reporting by Ian Cheng
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction
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