Forum: No excuse for animal cruelty in Singapore
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The Straits Times recently published two reports of animals being killed ( ‘One of the worst cases of animal cruelty’: Man killed 2 cats by throwing them off HDB block, Man charged after he allegedly flung cat from 38th floor of block, killing it,
Both articles described the unprovoked torture and killing of cats.
In some societies, animal cruelty has been linked to ignorance and poverty. But Singapore is the fourth wealthiest country in the world, with high literacy rates.
Perhaps the problem lies in a twisted sense of entitlement. We know of people who are perpetually aggrieved. They think everyone is out to get them. So they hit out in violence.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) reported there were 915 cases of animal cruelty and welfare issues in 2023, a 79 per cent increase over the previous year.
Cats are domesticated animals, trusting of humans. All three of the butchered cats featured in the articles had been tended to by community folk. They could have run up to their killers.
I belong to a cat-feeding group and among us is a woman who lives in Ang Mo Kio. She has been inconsolable since the killing of her “fur babies”.
I also know of the residents in Whampoa who mourned the killing of community cat Garfield. The cat was beloved by so many that the estate’s town council even allowed a temporary memorial to be set up.
Animal sentience, which is their ability to feel joy and fear, is recognised in the laws of many countries, including Singapore, that regard animal cruelty as criminal.
But can we go further and talk of values? Can we say that we do not abuse or throw animals to their death from HDB blocks?
This cannot be – is not – Singapore.
Margaret Chan
