Get more serious about animal cruelty

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http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/get-more-serious-about-animal-cruelty-20140609

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) agrees with Mr Joe Teo Kok Seah's views ("Impose 'CWOs' for pet abusers"; last Tuesday) that owners found guilty of not providing adequate and proper care to their pets ought to be punished more severely.

The SPCA takes a strong stand against animal abuse; any animal abuser deserves the appropriate punishment to the fullest extent of the law, which is currently a maximum fine of $10,000 or a one-year jail term, or both.

With the most recent case of the businessman who was fined $10,000 for having committed animal cruelty, while the SPCA recognises that this is the first time the maximum fine has been imposed, we believe that this is insufficient for such an extreme and torturous act of neglect and cruelty, as shown in the facts of this case, against an innocent and defenceless animal.

Given that this was one of the most severe cases of animal neglect and cruelty in recent years, a jail term, in addition to the fine, would have been a stronger preventive move against a repeat offence in future.

The court sentence fell far short of community expectations by not providing a deterrent to repeat offenders who can afford to pay the fine.

We have written to the Attorney-General's Chambers to ask for the imposition of a jail term but have yet to receive any reply. We would like the authorities to get serious about animal cruelty.

Corinne Fong (Ms)
Executive Director
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals