Reports of Cruelty to Community Animals and Measures to Safeguard Welfare of These Animals

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years, how many reports of cruelty to community animals has the Animal and Veterinary Service received, investigated, and referred for prosecution; (b) whether the Ministry assesses that existing enforcement powers and penalties adequately deter such offences; and (c) whether stronger protections, better reporting mechanisms, or restrictions on animal ownership for repeat offenders are being considered to safeguard animal welfare.

Mr Speaker, over the past three years, the National Parks Board received and investigated an average of 75 alleged animal cruelty cases involving community animals each year. Two cases were referred for prosecution during this period.

To ensure that the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) remains effective in deterring animal cruelty and abuse, we are reviewing the ABA to enhance enforcement powers and strengthen the penalty framework for animal welfare offences. This includes reviewing imprisonment terms and disqualification orders for both first-time and repeat offences.

I thank the Minister of State for the response. For the community animals, because they do not have a specific owner per se, is there a possibility for the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) to make it easier for them to report cases?

Sir, for caregivers and feeders of community animals, in fact, AVS works very closely with them through our lead Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage partner, the Cat Welfare Society, providing services such as free sterilisation and free micro-chipping. In fact, I was there at Cats' Day Out last month, and I think the Member Diana Pang was also there, where we worked with Cat Welfare Society, the community feeders, to get feedback and to see how we can better support them.