Woman fined for abandoning pet cat

Channel NewsAsia 21 Jun 17;

SINGAPORE: A 23-year-old woman was on Wednesday (Jun 21) fined S$2,500 in court for abandoning her pet cat at a staircase landing.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a media release that it was alerted to the incident on Jan 10 after a member of the public found the cat at a staircase landing along Canberra Road. Details of the owner were on the carrier next to the cat.

Upon questioning, the owner of the cat, Illya Natassia Abdul Manaf, admitted to abandoning it after a "family conflict", AVA said.

The cat was cared for by a fosterer while investigations were underway, and has been successfully rehomed with the help of an animal welfare group, AVA said.

"AVA takes a stern view on pet abandonment. We investigate all feedback on pet abandonment and will take enforcement action, where necessary. Individuals who abandon their pets are liable to a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or 12 months' jail for first convictions," the authority added.

It also urged members of the public to report cases of pet abandonment by calling its 24-hour hotline at 1800-476-1600, or submitting tip-offs via its website.


Woman gets S$2,500 penalty for abandoning cat
Today Online 22 Jun 17;

SINGAPORE — A 23-year-old woman was fined S$2,500 on Wednesday (June 21) after she was found guilty of abandoning her pet cat at Canberra Road, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said.

On Jan 10, a member of the public found the abandoned cat and alerted the AVA. Also found nearby was a pet carrier which had the personal details of the accused, Illya Natassia Abdul Manaf.

She was taken in for questioning, and lllya Natassia admitted to abandoning her cat after a family conflict.

The cat was subsequently rehomed with the help of an animal welfare group.

“The AVA takes a stern view on pet abandonment. We investigate all feedback on pet abandonment and will take enforcement action, where necessary,” the authority said. First-time offenders found guilty of abandoning their pets could be jailed up to a year or fined up to S$10,000, or both.

“Safeguarding animal welfare is a shared social responsibility requiring the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the public,” said the AVA.

“While the AVA continues to ensure that the necessary enforcement action is taken and to raise awareness on animal welfare, members of the public can play their part by being vigilant,” it added.

Members of the public can report cases of pet abandonment to the AVA via its 24-hour hotline, 1800-476-1600 or its website www.ava.gov.sg.