Eileen Poh Channel NewsAsia 14 Jan 14;
SINGAPORE: Singapore needs to adopt tougher measures to safeguard animal welfare, says Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
This can be in the form of heavier penalties and more education.
Mr Shanmugam was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Asia for Animals Conference on Tuesday morning.
Currently, animal abusers face a fine of S$10,000 and a jail term of up to a year, or both.
In April last year, the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee (AWLRC) recommended to increase the maximum penalty to S$50,000 and or three years' jail.
The AWLRC is chaired by Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for National Development, and comprises representatives from the animal welfare groups, pet industry, and the veterinary profession.
Mr Shanmugam noted that the number of animal welfare and cruelty cases handled by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) increased by more than 65 per cent in half a decade -- from 292 in 2007 to 484 in 2012.
He added that enforcement is challenging, as finding witnesses who are willing to come forward, is not easy. And education may just be the answer to that.
Mr Shanmugam said: "The larger issue is if you educate society, the whole tenor of the society changes and people are much more aware, and on the look-out -- then I think it is easier to identify who was responsible. We are on the right track, we are moving, and we need to move further."
The Asia for Animals Conference is hosted by the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), and it saw some 320 participants from over 30 countries and territories.
One of the highlights is the keynote speech by 10-year-old Megan Tan, a volunteer with ACRES.
The Maha Bodhi School student shared her motivations and efforts in animal welfare advocacy, that include designing covers for notebooks, which are up for sale at the conference.
- CNA/nd
Rise of animal abuse cases demands stronger measures: Shanmugam
Today Online 14 Jan 14;
SINGAPORE — More can be done to prevent cruelty against animals and encouraging responsible pet ownership, said Law Minister K Shanmugam at the Asia for Animals Conference this morning (Jan 14).
In his speech as guest of honour, Mr Shanmugam shared that Singapore has taken many “substantive measures” in advancing the cause of animal rights here, including changing the law and nurturing compassion for animals in children by introducing it in the education syllabus.
This year, a Bill to increase the penalties for animal abuse will be introduced in Parliament, to increase the current fine of S$10,000 to $50,000 for repeat offenders who abuse animals.
Said Mr Shanmugam: “We will develop stronger measures, more penalties and focus a lot more on education.”
Citing statistics from the AVA and SPCA, he noted that “there has been a worrying growth in the number of animal welfare and cruelty cases” over the years.
“The changes to the legislation that have been proposed, which will substantially enhance the penalties, will send a strong deterrent message,” he added.
Bill to increase penalties for repeat animal abusers to be tabled
Woo Sian Boon Today Online 15 Jan 14;
A Bill will be tabled in Parliament this year to increase the penalties for animal abuse, with the current fine of S$10,000 for repeat offenders to be raised to S$50,000, in line with recommendations made by the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee last year, which was accepted by the Ministry of National Development.
Law Minister K Shanmugam, who spoke at the Asia for Animals Conference yesterday, commented on changes to the legislation yesterday, saying it would send a strong message of deterrence.
“We will develop stronger measures (and) more penalties and focus a lot more on education,” he said, noting that enforcement is challenging as finding witnesses who are willing to come forward is not easy.
By educating society, “the whole tenor of society changes and people are much more aware and on the lookout”, making it easier to identify those responsible for animal abuse.
“We are on the right track, we are moving and we need to move further,” he added. WOO SIAN BOON
