Animal welfare: Extensive measures recommended to protect them

Stiffer fines and jail terms for animal abusers and compulsory screening of would-be pet buyers may be imminent.

These recommendations are among a slew of wide-ranging measures put forward by a panel set up by the government last year to review existing animal welfare laws.

The 11-member panel, chaired by Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC Yeo Guat Kwang, submitted its widely anticipated report to the National Development Ministry on Friday after a year's deliberations.

It proposes introducing tiered penalties that consider the offenders' intent. Where previously the maximum penalty was a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a one-year jail term, repeat or malicious offenders could soon be slapped with fines reaching $50,000 and/or three-year jail terms. They would also be barred from keeping pets for up to a year.