Mynah hung from laundry pole stand outside Yishun flat; NParks investigating

A resident in Yishun hung a mynah from the laundry pole stand outside her flat in a bid to teach the bird a lesson for entering her kitchen. PHOTO: ANIMAL CONCERNS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SOCIETY/FACEBOOK

SINGAPORE - In an attempt to teach a mynah a lesson for entering her kitchen, a resident hung the bird from the laundry pole stand outside her Yishun flat.

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) said on Facebook on Wednesday (Dec 11) that it received a call about the mynah on its 24-hour wildlife rescue hotline.

A video in its post shows the bird dangling on what appears to be a string from the laundry pole stand outside the flat.

"Our rescue officers were shocked to learn from the unit's resident that the mynah was deliberately hung from the pole to teach the mynah (and other mynahs) a lesson, so they can 'learn' not to enter her kitchen," Acres said.

Acres assessed the bird for injuries and gave it some water and food, before releasing it.

Its rescue officers also informed the resident that her actions were an act of cruelty and advised her on other ways to deter birds that are drawn to exposed food.

Acres deputy chief executive Anbarasi Boopal told The Straits Times on Thursday (Dec 12) that it was alerted to the incident at Yishun Street 71 at 2.35pm on Nov 8.

She advised people that it is best not to take things into their hands in a situation with wild animals.

Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster under NParks, told ST that it was concerned when told of the incident.

The service said there are measures people can take to keep mynahs from entering their homes. These include removing leftover food from the sink after washing the dishes, storing food in the fridge, microwave or cupboards, keeping all bins covered with heavy lids, and installing screens or netting on windows to keep out the birds.

If these do not work, homeowners can try keeping their windows closed during the day, starting with a period of two weeks to break the habit of the mynahs entering the home.

AVS group director Jessica Kwok said that safeguarding animal welfare is a shared social responsibility and urged members of the public to reporting suspected cases of animal cruelty with pictures and videos to AVS at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or call at 1800-476-1600. Information shared will be kept strictly confidential.

Acts of cruelty to animals are punishable by law.

First-time offenders caught abusing an animal or bird may be charged under the Animals and Birds Act, and could be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to 18 months, or both.

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