January 2011 Cruelty CRUELTY INVESTIGATION REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2011 In the month of January, there were 82 cruelty cases in total. There were 53 cases involving dogs:- 32 cases of dogs kept in poor living conditions 5 cases of dogs tied up 4 cases of dogs physically abused 3 cases of dogs allegedly abandoned 2 cases of dogs caged 2 cases of dogs left sick and untreated 2 cases of dogs found killed/dead 2 cases of dogs barking 1 case of dogs being trapped 8 cases involving cats:- 2 cases of cats found killed/dead 2 cases of cats caged 1 case of cats physically abused 1 cases of cats kept in poor living conditions 1 case of cats allegedly abandoned 1 case of cats left sick and untreated 10 cases involving rabbits:- 10 cases of rabbits kept in poor living conditions 4 cases involving birds:- 3 cases of birds in poor living conditions 1 case involving bird trapping 4 cases involving fishes:- 4 cases of fishes kept in poor conditions 2 cases involving farm animals:- 2 cases of farm animals in poor living conditions 1 case involving horses:- 1 case of horses in poor living conditions 1
January 2011 Cruelty AVA referrals: 10 cases were referred to CAWC in the month of December:- 5 cases of animals kept in poor living conditions 4 cases involving animals kept in poor conditions at a pet shop 1 case of animals being trapped Police Cases: 2 cases were handled by the police in the month of January:- 2 cases of animals found killed/dead Cases of Interest: 1. Pongal Festival 2011 Campbell Lane, Little India The annual Pongal Festival (Harvest Festival for the Indians) was held from the 12 th of January to the 18 th of January this year. The Pongal Festival in 2010 saw numerous complaints in regards to the welfare of the animals displayed. A mother cow even gave birth to her young during the exhibition under such a stressful situation. A fine was eventually imposed on the organisers by the AVA for displaying a pregnant animal. However, this year showed a vast improvement. The animals were sufficiently sheltered; barriers were put in place to prevent members of public from touching the animals. A man was seen put in charge of ensuring that the area was clean, the animals were provided with sufficient food and water and also ensuring that members of public do not get too near to them. 2. Year of the Rabbit exhibitions at Suntec City and Harbourfront Centre The start of the year saw 2 rabbit exhibitions held at Suntec City Atrium and Harbourfront Centre. Both exhibitions brought about numerous complaints in regards to the welfare of the rabbits on display. Harbourfront Centre The rabbits were found to be really stressed up as members of public were crowding around them, poking, prodding, force feeding and shoving cameras (with flash) in their faces. There was no crowd control or sufficient staff around to mend the exhibition. The rabbits were seen cowering in a corner or scuttling around the enclosure trying to avoid contact. No action was taken by the AVA against the organisers and the organisers remained un-contactable throughout the exhibition period and to date. 2
January 2011 Cruelty Suntec City Tropics Atrium The rabbit exhibition held by Pets Village included a rabbit dress-up contest and a rabbit race competition. SPCA wrote in to AVA to ask for the contests and competitions be withdrawn as it would prove to be too stressful for the rabbits involved. Our inspectors visited the exhibition and found rabbits being displayed in small cages and in grilled bottomed pens. One of the complainants passed us a video the following morning showing staff throwing the rabbits down from above waist high height when transferring the rabbits into the pen. SPCA wrote into AVA about our findings and AVA advised the organisers in regards to the issues. Our deputy inspector and ACO Yao Huang, visited the exhibition again and found improvements made to the transferring process and the display cages/pens. However, the organiser found out about our staff and got into a confrontation with us, demanding that our staff leave the exhibition. The organiser got aggressive and head-butted ACO Yao Huang. The police were called in but no charges were pressed as an apology was made in the end by the organiser. The contests and competitions were eventually cancelled. 3. Bestway Building Dog that was hung to death (Francis Lee s case) On the 19 th of January, SPCA received a report of a dog being hung to death on a metal cable at the back of the building. While our inspectors were on the way to the scene, the complainant informed that a Chinese man came and removed the body. While trying to stop the suspect from doing so, the complainant managed to obtain the license plate of the suspect s vehicle which tallied with Mr Francis Lee s licence plate number. Our inspectors interviewed the building security staff and found out that the management had hired Mr Francis Lee to deal with the strays in the area. This dog was the last dog that he was supposed to catch. The complainant sent in a picture of the dog and CCTV footage of the area was obtained from the management. AVA was also informed of the contents in the video and the case. SPCA recommended that Mr Francis Lee be prosecuted in court. However, AVA informed that action would be taken against him but he would not be prosecuted as it was accidental. 3
February 2011 Cruelty CRUELTY INVESTIGATION REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2011 In the month of February, there were 76 cruelty cases in total. There were 49 cases involving dogs:- 15 cases of dogs kept in poor living conditions 6 cases of dogs tied up 3 cases of dogs physically abused 3 cases of dogs allegedly abandoned 12 cases of dogs caged 3 cases of dogs left sick and untreated 1 case of dog found killed/dead 6 cases of dogs barking 9 cases involving cats:- 2 cases of cats found killed/dead 3 cases of cats caged 1 case of cat physically abused 2 cases of cats kept in poor living conditions 1 case of cat too young for sale 9 cases involving rabbits:- 4 cases of rabbits kept in poor living conditions 1 case of rabbit killed/dead 2 cases of rabbits caged 1 case of rabbit left sick and untreated 3 cases involving birds:- 1 case of bird kept in poor living conditions 1 case of bird caged 1 case of bird physically abused 2 cases involving turtles:- 1 case of turtle kept in poor living conditions 1 case of turtle left sick and untreated 1 case involving a hamster:- 1 case of hamster kept in poor living conditions 1 case involving a fish:- 1 case of a fish kept in poor living conditions
February 2011 Cruelty 1 case involving a squirrel:- 1 case of a squirrel caged 1 case involving an exotic animal:- 1 case of an iguana caged AVA referrals: 17 cases were referred to CAWC in the month of December:- 7 cases of animals kept in poor living conditions 2 cases involving animals kept in poor conditions at pet shops 1 case of animal physically abused in pet shop 1 case of animal dead in pet shop 2 cases of animals being tied up 2 cases of animals being caged 1 case of animal being trapped 1 case of animal being killed Police Cases: 2 cases were handled by the police in the month of January:- 1 case of animal found killed/dead 1 case of animal physically abused Cases of Interest: 1. Yio Chu Kang Zone GRC Rabbits On the first day of February, SPCA received a report of 2 rabbits being kept in poor living conditions. The rabbits were left in the open with only a filmsy canvas as shelter, when it rains, rain will pour in through the sides. Faeces were being trampled on in their food bowls, rabbits were placed in a wired bottomed cage that was locked with a padlock. We found out that the rabbits were located at the GRC community garden. Residents in the area take care of the rabbits, feeding it occasionally with rabbit food and mainly with the leaves of bushes growing next to the cage. They informed that they have been appealing to the RC to provide a better living environment for the rabbits that have been abandoned in the garden initially. However, they informed that their appeals seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Our inspectors have tried to contact the RC multiple times to no avail. The case was eventually referred to the AVA further investigation and assistance.
February 2011 Cruelty 2. Balestier Plaza Huskies During the first week of February, our inspectors received a second complaint for an ongoing case at Balestier Plaza since June 2010. The initial complaint was in regards to 2 huskies being tied along the corridor. When our inspectors attended then, they found 2 huskies being leashed to the corridor railing on very short leashes that the dogs were not able to reach their food bowl which was filled with untouched dog food. The water bowls were also empty. The dogs lapped up the food and water when our inspectors placed the food bowls nearer to them and filled their water bowls. The apartment management informed that it has been ongoing for a very long time and they have summoned the owners to court. The owners remained un-contactable then and the case was referred to AVA. AVA eventually informed that the dogs were found inside the premises during their visit and they have counselled the owners on the proper care of their dogs. However, during the first week of February 2011, our inspectors received yet another complaint in regards to the huskies. The dogs were found tied to the corridor railings again without food and water provided. The areas around the dogs were covered with faeces and urine. The dogs seemed to be left unattended for a few days. They lapped up the water provided by our officers and were howling for food. Our officers returned to feed them that afternoon after contacting AVA for advice and to feed back. AVA officers also attended shortly after. Our officers attended again the following day to feed and provide water to the dogs. However, he found that the dogs were being provided raw meat (chicken and beef) for consumption. He spoke to neighbours who informed that the owners were seen returning back to the unit on the evening of the previous day. After seeking AVA s advice, our officer replaced the raw meat with dried dog food, provided the dogs with fresh water and cleaned up after them. It was to our understanding that the owners and the apartment management have a long standing dispute. Investigations are still ongoing to date.
March 2011 Cruelty CRUELTY INVESTIGATION REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2011 In the month of March, there were 86 cruelty cases in total. There were 56 cases involving dogs:- 25 cases of dogs kept in poor living conditions 8 cases of dogs physically abused 6 cases of dogs barking 4 cases of dogs left sick and untreated 4 cases of dogs tied up 4 cases of dogs allegedly abandoned 3 cases of dogs caged 2 cases of dogs found killed/dead 18 cases involving cats:- 5 cases of cats found killed/dead 4 cases of cats caged 4 case of cats physically abused 4 cases of cats kept in poor living conditions 1 case of cats tied up 4 cases involving rabbits:- 3 cases of rabbits kept in poor living conditions 1 case of rabbits allegedly abandoned 4 cases involving fishes:- 3 cases of fishes kept in poor living conditions 1 case of fishes physically abused 2 cases involving birds:- 1 case of birds in poor living conditions 1 case of birds physically abused 2 cases involving terrapins:- 2 cases of terrapins kept in poor living conditions AVA referrals: 26 cases were referred to CAWC in the month of March:- 10 cases of animals kept in poor living conditions 9 cases involving animals kept in poor conditions at a pet shop 4 cases of animals being physically abused 3 cases of animals being left unattended in a vehicle 1
March 2011 Cruelty Police Cases: 3 cases were handled by the police in the month of March:- 2 cases of animals found killed/dead 1 case of animals being physically abused Cases of Interest: Kim Keat Rabbits On 15 February, we received a report about 2 rabbits being left in a plastic tank with a plastic cover outside a unit, and that ventilation was poor and the rabbits were in bad condition. We visited the premises to find 2 rabbits in a small fish tank without any food or water provided. One of the rabbit s hind legs was injured. We were eventually able to speak to the owner who said that the rabbits were given to them and that they were cared for by her young children. Our inspector advised her that she has to bring the injured rabbit to the vet. Following further visits, the owner informed us that the rabbits had since been brought to a vet. and were re-homed. Tampines Poodle On 6 March, we received a report about a poodle being kept in a cage for the whole day at the lift lobby. On SPCA s visit, we spotted the dog in the conditions as described. After speaking to a family member, it was revealed that the owner s son had asthma and that they were looking to re-home the dog. Eventually, the dog was surrendered to the SPCA. Following a vet. check, the dog was diagnosed with scabies and a fungal infection. We have since re-homed the poodle to a loving family who is also providing him with the necessary treatment. 2
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