AVS probe under way after video shows boy throwing cat off 22nd storey of HDB block

Videos circulating on social media show a boy throwing a cat over the railing of a high-rise block in Boon Lay. PHOTOS: SCREENFRAB FROM FELINE/FACEBOOK

SINGAPORE – An investigation is under way after a video emerged on social media showing a boy allegedly throwing a cat off the 22nd storey of a Housing Board block in Boon Lay.

Responding to queries, Ms Jessica Kwok, group director of the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), said on Friday: “Investigations on the case are ongoing, and we ask the public not to speculate on the details of the case and allow investigations to run their proper course.”

A one-minute video circulating on social media on Thursday night shows what appears to be a black cat walking out of a lift, followed by the young boy.

Seconds later, he picks up the animal and, after looking around, throws the cat over the railing.

Within moments, a loud crash can be heard.

The police confirmed that a report has been made.

The Straits Times understands that the boy has not been arrested or taken into custody.

Ms Kwok said the AVS, which is part of the National Parks Board, does not condone mistreatment of animals.

First-time offenders caught abusing an animal face a fine of up to $15,000, a jail term of up to 18 months, or both.

Boon Lay resident Umi Solikati, 39, said she found the dead cat, its body mangled, near a bicycle parking space at Block 186 Boon Lay Avenue at around 2pm on Wednesday.

She had been feeding the cat, named Panther by residents, every day for about 11 years.

“I kept calling its name but it wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t know what to do, so I buried it nearby,” said Ms Umi, who works in retail.

“Panther is a senior cat that never causes any trouble. All the residents loved him.”

Another resident, bus captain Chua Mui Mui, 47, who regularly feeds community cats in the area, said she received the video on Thursday and posted it on Facebook.

“In the past two to three years, five cats were thrown off from the same block,” she added.

“We are all still in shock. The other feeders and I cried a lot when we found out about Panther’s death.”

A makeshift memorial for Panther at Block 186 Boon Lay Avenue. PHOTO: CHUA MUI MUI

Cat Welfare Society (CWS) board member Rifdi Rafiuddin said the society helped the cat’s caregivers to file a report with AVS.

Referring to the boy in the video, Mr Rifdi said: “CWS is aware that the police have spoken to the individual, and we have informed AVS of the same for their follow-up. We also helped facilitate the collection of the carcass by AVS for a post-mortem.”

Calling the incident “deeply disturbing”, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) executive director Aarthi Sankar said members of the organisation have visited the boy’s family.

“We are saddened that the cat has succumbed to its injuries after falling from height,” she said.

She added that the SPCA would assist the authorities with their investigations.

A Change.org petition calling for justice for the cat had garnered more than 10,000 signatures as at 3pm on Friday.

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