Including Mandatory Treatment Order in Sentencing Options for Animal Cruelty and Abuse Cases

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider including Mandatory Treatment Order as part of the sentencing option for cases of animal cruelty and abuse.

A Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO) is a sentencing option for offenders who suffer from psychiatric conditions which contributed to their commission of the offence, provided that certain conditions are met. There have been cases of animal cruelty and abuse in which the offender was issued an MTO. Ultimately, the Courts will decide whether an MTO is the appropriate sentence for each case.