Injuries found on stray cat in Punggol likely caused by vehicular accident: NParks

SINGAPORE – A stray cat that was found seriously injured this week in Punggol was likely a victim of a vehicular accident, said the National Parks Board (NParks).

The male tabby

cat named Shere Khan was found dying at a loading bay

near Block 326B Sumang Walk and was taken to the vet on the morning of May 12.

A report from the vet said its injuries suggested there was blunt force trauma to the head and added that traffic accidents are a possible and common cause of such injuries, said NParks in a statement on May 17.

During investigations, NParks reviewed CCTV footage near where Shere Khan was found and interviewed the person who found it.

“Based on the investigations and observations from the vet report, we did not find any overt evidence that the injuries were sustained due to a deliberate act of cruelty,” said NParks.

“It is likely that the cat had sustained its injuries due to a vehicular accident.”

Shere Khan was euthanised at the clinic and subsequently cremated.

Earlier, the cat’s critical injuries led animal welfare group Luni Singapore on May 13 to point to deliberate abuse and appeal for eyewitnesses, dashcam footage or CCTV recordings from the area where Shere Khan was found.

The feline was registered under the welfare group.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How shared NPark’s investigation outcome in a Facebook post on May 17 and said that the loss of Shere Khan had affected many people, especially Punggol residents.

“I am heartened by the outpouring of public concern on the safety and welfare of our community cats,” said Mr Tan.

He added that NParks is consulting stakeholders and the animal welfare community to strengthen safeguards on animal welfare, including penalties on animal cruelty cases, as part of the ongoing review of the Animal and Birds Act.

NParks said it takes all feedback seriously and investigates all information provided by the public on alleged animal cruelty.

Shere Khan’s case came on the heels of another

unnatural cat death in Yishun

, for which NParks said investigations are ongoing. The community cat was found on the morning of May 9, allegedly disembowelled and with its eyes gouged out.

“We urge the public not to further speculate on the details of the ongoing case and to verify their information sources,” said NParks. “These are crucial in allowing for a fair round of investigation to be carried out.”