Two chinchillas were found abandoned on 5 September at a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block’s void deck. The pets were discovered by a member of the public in a tall metal cage at Blk 643 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 and subsequently rescued by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The SPCA has since escalated the case to the authorities and is appealing for information from the public.
## Background
The cage, which contained an assortment of accessories and feeding bowls, was found some distance from a rubbish bin on the ground floor. The SPCA posted an appeal for information on Instagram on 9 September, highlighting that they do not have the legal right to retrieve CCTV footage from nearby cameras. The organisation is urging anyone with information or who witnessed anything unusual to come forward and make a confidential report.
## SPCA’s limitations and community appeal
In the comments section of the Instagram post, SPCA’s executive director, Aarthi Sankar, explained that while the SPCA reports suspected abandonment cases to the authorities and informs them of the nearest CCTVs, they cannot retrieve such footage themselves. Sankar noted that even when footage is retrieved, identifying the offender can be challenging if they move through blind spots or conceal their features with accessories like caps or glasses. “Hence we were hoping that while the authorities investigate the case, we could help expedite matters by reaching out to the community living around the area!” she said. Reports can be made via SPCA’s 24/7 hotline at 6287 5355 (ext. 9) or submitted via email at [email protected].
## Rising animal cruelty and welfare issues
The SPCA also highlighted the laws against animal cruelty and abandonment under the Animal and Birds Act. Offenders may face a jail term of up to 18 months, a fine of up to S$15,000, or both for animal cruelty. For abandoning a pet, the penalties include a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both. In January 2024, the SPCA reported investigating 915 cases of animal cruelty and welfare issues in 2023, the highest in 11 years. This figure represented a “staggering” 79 per cent increase in cases from 2022. Additionally, there were 137 cases of abandonment involving 285 animals, a twofold increase from the previous year.
## Call for public assistance
The SPCA’s appeal underscores the importance of community involvement in addressing animal cruelty and abandonment. By coming forward with information, the public can play a crucial role in expediting investigations and ensuring that offenders are held accountable. The SPCA continues to work closely with the authorities to address these issues and improve animal welfare standards.
