Updates On 4th Oct 2014

The Straits Times’ “Home” Section reported today (Sat, 4 Oct, 2014), on page B10, that a private Bill will be introduced to change the laws on animal cruelty when Parliament sits on Tuesday (7 Oct, 2014).

From the article,

“… Five PAP MPs will propose amendments to the law governing animal welfare. They want stiffer penalties for repeat animal abusers. The proposed amendment to the Animals and Birds Act will also let the authorities adopt codes that set standards for animal welfare in Singapore.

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Yeo Guat Kwang, who is leading the charge against recalcitrants, said his Bill is a balanced one that takes in the concerns of all parties involved. “While there are people who abuse animals, there are also some who think their pet is more important than a neighbour,” he said…..”

SPCA and our partners in animal welfare all await the outcome of the legislative changes from Tuesday.

(Among the changes awaited are increasing the maximum fine to S$50,000 and/or a 3-year jail term for repeat malicious offenders, up from the present penalty which is a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or a 1-year jail term. This is as recommended by the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC).

The AWLRC also proposed a “tiered penalty structure that differentiates the intent of the offender and nature of the offence”.

The AWLRC also proposed different penalties for individuals and corporate bodies such as pet shops and farms.

These changes follow the Ministry of National Development’s (MND) acceptance of all 24 recommendations proposed by AWLRC, as announced on April 26, 2013. MND said it would partner with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to work out detailed implementation plans and roll out the recommendations in phases.

Law Minister, K. Shanmugam, had also said in Jan 2014 that penalties for animal abusers would be made more severe.)

(Here are some relevant web links:

http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/ava-reviewing-animal-welfare-codes

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-increase-penalties-animal-abuse-190719829.html

https://www.facebook.com/avasg/posts/460723774004155

http://www.mnd.gov.sg/AWLRCreport/

http://mndsingapore.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/protecting-animal-welfare/)

We will post updates here, once the proposed changes have been announced….

Source: https://www.facebook.com/spcasingapore/photos/a.283797778154..

Tweet

SPCA Singapore

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Singapore) is the first registered animal welfare organisation in Singapore. The two main objectives of SPCA Singapore are: to promote kindness to animals and birds, and to prevent cruelty to animals and birds.

More Articles   |   Website