Criminal lawyer Josephus Tan to represent Yishun resident charged with animal cruelty

Lawyer Josephus Tan (above) will be representing the man suspected of hurling a cat from the 13th floor of a block in Yishun. ST PHOTO: DESMOND LUI

SINGAPORE - The man suspected of hurling a cat to its death, from the 13th floor of a Housing Board block in Yishun, will be represented by criminal lawyer and pro-bono advocate Josephus Tan.

Lee Wai Leong, 40, was charged with one count of animal cruelty last Tuesday over the incident on Oct 30 last year.

Mr Tan said on Sunday that he had met Lee's family on Saturday, and they had gone through documents together.

In a Facebook post, he added that he was honoured to represent the accused, as it was the right thing to do.

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam posted a note on his Facebook page on Sunday, in which he referred to a recent spate of cat killings in Yishun.

At least 20 cats have been found dead or seriously injured in the area in the last three months.

On Wednesday, a day after Lee was charged, a female tabby cat was found dead at Block 734, Yishun Avenue 5, with blood on its ears and mouth.

Here is Mr Shanmugam's Facebook post in full.

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