Singapore: Simple Things To Do If You Witness Animal Abuse
Despite what you might think, animal abuse is common in Singapore. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Singapore (SPCA) receives a monthly average of 80 to 90 reports of alleged cruelty to animals. Animal abuse is a crime in Singapore and this cruel act must be stopped. If you happen to witness a deliberate act of cruelty or abandonment of an animal, here are the steps you should take.
How to report animal abuse in Singapore
Assess The Situation
Before you do anything, make sure that this is indeed an act of abuse. Abuse does not necessarily mean violence is involved; neglect is a much more common form of abuse and should be stopped immediately. Some cases of neglect include: -Small domestic animals housed in cages with wired flooring, fed inadequate diets and/or left in a corridor without human company for most of the day. -Cats and dogs caged or tied up for long periods and/or in dirty conditions. Read more:
Make A Call
The first thing you should do is call SPCA at 6287 5355 ext 9 to report the case, especially if the animal is in urgent need of attention. Next, call the police at 999 so they can quickly arrive at the scene to intervene and investigate.
Record Evidence
If it is safe, take photographic evidence of the suspect. A picture or video with distinguishing features and vehicle numbers will be useful in tracking the suspect down should the individual get away. Also note down the address, date and time of the incident. If there are other witnesses at the scene, ask if you can take down their contact details in case they need to give a statement or testify in court. If the animal is already dead, do not move the body. A post-mortem would need to be conducted by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to determine the cause of death.
Where to report animal abuse
Take photographic evidence of the body and its surroundings and send it to [email protected]. For non-urgent cases, you may fill in SPCA’s cruelty complaint form should you think an investigation needs to be made. Remember, caring for an animal’s welfare is a shared responsibility. If you think you are witnessing an abuse case, do not leave the scene. Your help could save that animal’s life and many others after it.