Strengthening Penalties for Animal Cruelty in Review of Animals and Birds Act to Ensure Effective Deterrence

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) what specific measures will the Ministry be considering in the review of the Animals and Birds Act to strengthen penalties for animal cruelty; (b) whether the Ministry will consider increasing jail terms and fines; (c) how do Singapore’s current penalties under the Act compare with those of other developed nations; and (d) what timelines are set for implementing changes to ensure effective deterrence against animal cruelty.

As part of the National Parks Board's (NParks') efforts to safeguard animal health and welfare, as well as public health and safety, we have embarked on a review of the Animals and Birds Act. This includes a review of the penalty framework, including fines and jail terms, to ensure that they are effective in deterring acts of animal cruelty and abuse.

NParks will continue to take a collaborative approach in this review and consult the public and community stakeholders. We will also study the regulations and penalties of overseas jurisdictions.

We will share more details of the review, including the timeline, when ready.