Pet neglect on the rise, says SPCA

Pet neglect is on the rise, according The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Out of about 1,000 cases of alleged cruelty to animals reported and investigated by the SPCA in 2011, at least 70 per cent involved pet neglect.

The SPCA said on Thursday that the total number of alleged cruelty cases rose by 10 per cent since last year.

The SPCA cited examples of pet neglect - rabbits left in cages largely unattended outside the premises, dogs or cats in small cages or dogs tied up for long periods, as well as sick pets left untreated.

Even after SPCA's inspectors investigated and advised the owners, less than 30 per cent of them made improvements to their pet's living conditions.

SPCA attributes much of the problem to insufficient education at the point of sale on the needs of the animals.

For example, cages are often sold together with dogs, and owners are advised to train the animals in them.

But the cage often becomes the dog's permanent home.

The SPCA will share its views at an Animal Welfare Symposium and Public Forum on Animal Welfare Policies on Saturday at Chong Pang Community Club.

ORIGINAL SOURCE
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