Agri-Food and Veterinary (AVA) of Singapore has announced that a Singaporean woman, Roslina Binte Roslani, was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment for failure in duty of care to her 39 pet cats.
The 34-year-old woman was sentenced to a total of 5 years 6 months and 4 weeks jail for the failure of duty of care and other drug related charges.
AVA inspected the unit on 25 February 2016 and found 39 cats as there were public feedback about animal smell nuisance (e.g. faecal odour) from a unit at Blk 207 Yishun St 21.
The cats, which were in poor physical condition and health, were surrendered to AVA. Four died shortly after due to underlying medical conditions and another had to be euthanised as it was in bad health. While, the remaining 34 cats were released to the Cat Welfare Society for rehoming.
The cats were then passed by CWS to the veterinarian for a last fighting chance at survival, with all expenses covered by CWS and their volunteers.
AVA states that individuals who commit the offence are liable to a maximum fine of $15,000 and/or 18 months jail term for first convictions.
AVA also said that hoarding of pets may also cause public safety, nuisance and hygiene issues to the community, such as pest. Therefore, it urges pet owners not to hoard animals, and be responsible and considerate pet owners so as not to cause inconvenience to the community.
AVA said that members of public can be vigilant and promptly report cases of animal hoarding to AVA via its 24-hour hotline, 1800-476-1600 or via its website
