30-per-cent spike in reports about abuse: SPCA
Leong Wee Keat, Today Online 15 May 09;
TYING a dog on a short leash for long hours, confining rabbits inappropriately outdoors or even cramming five large terrapins in a small container.
While not as blatant as, say, hitting or killing an animal, these scenarios are nonetheless registering more on the public’s radar as animal abuse. And this has led to a surge in reports received by animal welfare groups.
In March, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) saw a record number of allegations about animal abuse, with some 95 reports received. This represents “a startling increase” of 30 per cent from the average of 60 to 80 reports each month, said the society, with most of the reports about pets kept in poor conditions.
SPCA executive officer Deirdre Moss attributed the spike to two reasons: A growing number of owners who are ignorant about the proper care of pets, and the public being more aware about what constitutes animal welfare.
“A dog may be in good physical condition but if it is tied up all day, the conditions will affect its mental well-being,” said Ms Moss.
Over at Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), president Ricky Yeo said the group has seen an increase in the number of pedigree dogs being abandoned on State land and at cemeteries. “Neglect and abandonment also constitute as animal abuse,” he said, and pointed to the recession as one possible catalyst.
Prior to last October, the group typically got two to three reports of abandoned dogs each month; the number has since climbed to “four, five and even six” a month. “Many who want to give up their dogs cite financial woes as their main reasons.”
Man tried for over-feeding dog ...
Under the Animals and Birds Act, a person found guilty of animal abuse or abandonment could be fined up to $10,000 or jailed a year, or both. While the law has been invoked for more serious cases of animal abuse such as outright torture, should it be applied to lesser offences?
In the United Kingdom on Wednesday, a dog-owner was found guilty in court of failing to ensure the welfare of his border collie, which was found to be twice its ideal weight. Despite repeat visits by animal welfare officers, he had failed to take his dog to the vet, stop over-feeding it and clean up his flat which was strewn with dog faeces.
Mr Yeo felt that enforcement poses a challenge. “You need to provide evidence and witnesses must be willing to come forward. These could be quite difficult.”
While the SPCA will press on with public education efforts, Ms Moss thinks “the authorities’ effective intervention” also has a role to play in preventing animal cruelty. “The two (public education and effective intervention) must go hand in hand.”
Her word of caution for anyone thinking of getting a pet: They need time and commitment. “If you are out of your apartment most of the time, it would not be advisable to buy a puppy which requires attention and training.”
