Man arrested for another suspected cat abuse case in Yishun

SINGAPORE - A 51-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in case of cat abuse in Yishun, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and police said in a joint statement today (Jan 23).

A police report of a cat carcass found on the grass verge next to Block 116, Yishun Ring Road was lodged at about 6pm yesterday (Jan 22).

The suspect was arrested at about 2am this morning in the same vicinity after the AVA and police managed to establish his identity, following investigations.

The dead cat was owned by his household.

The suspect will be assisting the AVA in investigations into an offence of animal cruelty, the authorities said. Investigations are also ongoing to establish if the man is involved in other cat deaths in Yishun, which have continued to be reported after a 40-year-old suspect was arrested on Dec 27 for his suspected involvement in a series of cat abuse cases in the estate.

Investigations into all the reported cases are ongoing. In some of these cases, preliminary investigations have indicated that the cause of death may not be due to animal cruelty.

"For instance, for the case of the cat found dead next to the petrol station near Block 732, Yishun Avenue 5 on the night of Jan 21, we had received feedback from the public which pointed to a possible road accident," the authorities said.

Members of the public who have information on animal cruelty cases, such as photographs, video evidence or witnesses, are urged to contact the AVA at 1800 476 1600.

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months or both for the first offence. For the second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is $30,000 or a jail term of up to three years or both.

huizhen@sph.com.sg