Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cruelty to animals:'The maximum fine is grossly inadequate.'

Cruelty to animals

'The maximum fine is grossly inadequate.'

MS DEIRDRE MOSS, executive officer, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 'I refer to last Wednesday's report, 'Home's no place for wildlife', in particular, to the present penalty for anyone who kills, takes or keeps any wild animal or bird other than those specified in the Schedule, without a licence. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is of the opinion that the maximum fine of $1,000 is grossly inadequate and does not act as an effective deterrent. In recent years, press reports have highlighted traps set at Pulau Ubin and Lim Chu Kang to trap wild boar. On occasion, other species like dogs have been caught in them. Two years ago, the SPCA wrote to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority asking it to consider making a recommendation to Parliament that the penalty be increased so it represents more than a slap on the wrist.'