Forum: Consider rehabilitation efforts for animal abusers
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It gives me great comfort to learn that the National Parks Board (NParks) is reviewing the Animals and Birds Act in the light of the rising number of animal cruelty cases (NParks to review Animals and Birds Act, Code of Animal Welfare, Oct 27).
This is a positive shift towards acknowledging that the increasing number of offences was due to the leniency of current penalties, and more should be done to effectively curb such behaviour.
I hope the authorities will also explore the possibility of rehabilitation efforts for offenders.
Such programmes could be undertaken in collaboration with organisations like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, which are already active in animal welfare education and advocacy in Singapore.
I urge policymakers, law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organisations to collaborate in the fight against animal cruelty and act swiftly in adapting our legal framework to better protect the voiceless members of our community.
Claire Tan Xuan Lin
