Reports of Cruelty to Community Animals and Measures to Safeguard Welfare of These Animals
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns reports of cruelty to community animals and measures to strengthen animal welfare protections, raised by Ms Diana Pang Li Yen. Minister of State Alvin Tan stated that the National Parks Board investigated an average of 75 alleged cruelty cases involving community animals annually over the past three years, with two referred for prosecution. To enhance deterrence, the Ministry of National Development is reviewing the Animals and Birds Act to strengthen enforcement powers and penalty frameworks. This review covers potential adjustments to imprisonment terms and disqualification orders against animal ownership for both first-time and repeat offenders. Additionally, Minister of State Alvin Tan noted that the Animal and Veterinary Service actively collaborates with partners like the Cat Welfare Society and community caregivers to provide support and address feedback.
Transcript
12 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years, how many reports of cruelty to community animals has the Animal and Veterinary Service received, investigated, and referred for prosecution; (b) whether the Ministry assesses that existing enforcement powers and penalties adequately deter such offences; and (c) whether stronger protections, better reporting mechanisms, or restrictions on animal ownership for repeat offenders are being considered to safeguard animal welfare.
The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, over the past three years, the National Parks Board received and investigated an average of 75 alleged animal cruelty cases involving community animals each year. Two cases were referred for prosecution during this period.
To ensure that the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) remains effective in deterring animal cruelty and abuse, we are reviewing the ABA to enhance enforcement powers and strengthen the penalty framework for animal welfare offences. This includes reviewing imprisonment terms and disqualification orders for both first-time and repeat offences.
Mr Speaker: Ms Pang.
Ms Diana Pang Li Yen (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights): I thank the Minister of State for the response. For the community animals, because they do not have a specific owner per se, is there a possibility for the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) to make it easier for them to report cases?
Mr Alvin Tan: Sir, for caregivers and feeders of community animals, in fact, AVS works very closely with them through our lead Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage partner, the Cat Welfare Society, providing services such as free sterilisation and free micro-chipping. In fact, I was there at Cats' Day Out last month, and I think the Member Diana Pang was also there, where we worked with Cat Welfare Society, the community feeders, to get feedback and to see how we can better support them.
Mr Speaker: I was also at the Cats' Day Out.
Mr Alvin Tan: Thank you for supporting, Speaker.